Supporters angry over stadium ban

The IPCC viewed video footage of the incident

The Football Supporters' Federation (FSF) is backing a petition demanding Sunderland FC overturn a "deplorable" stadium ban on several fans.

About 15 season ticket holders have been told they are not welcome at the Stadium of Light following a clash with police at Newcastle Central Station.

No-one has been charged but 44 people have been arrested and freed on bail.

Sunderland FC said it was club policy to ban any supporter arrested for football-related violence or disorder.

It said this was because it had a legal duty of care to the thousands of fans at home games but said any supporters subsequently exonerated of involvement in the altercation with police would be welcomed back to the stadium.

However, the FSF said the stadium ban may breach season ticket terms and conditions.

The trouble broke out on 8 August as Sunderland fans travelled home from a friendly match in Scotland.

As they disembarked at the station they were met by officers from Northumbria Police, which said it had received intelligence that hooligans from Newcastle and Sunderland were planning to meet up for a pre-arranged fight.

I have little doubt that the protest will attract the support and solidarity of fans the length and breadth of the country Dr Malcolm Clarke, FSF chair

Some supporters said they were bitten by police dogs and hit with batons, but the police said batons were only drawn when "unprovoked attacks" occurred against dogs and dog handlers.

The incident was referred to the IPCC, which decided not to take action.

A group of fans, including some of those banned from the stadium, have launched an online petition on the FSF's website and say they are angry they have been branded hooligans.

A spokesman for the group said the club had "no right to find us guilty until proven innocent".

Dr Malcolm Clarke, chair of the FSF, said: "I have little doubt that the protest will attract the support and solidarity of fans the length and breadth of the country, many of whom suffer exactly the same problems at their own clubs.

"The FSF's ticketing group are currently looking into whether or not Sunderland's policy contradicts their season ticket terms and conditions - we believe it might - and we will be taking this matter up separately with the club."