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Newcastle and Sunderland fans clash outside St James Park as 'bottles thrown at police'

Newcastle and Sunderland fans clashed with bottles reportedly thrown at police outside St James Park ahead of the Tyne-Wear derby on Sunday afternoon

[ St James' Park]

Police separating Newcastle United and Sunderland fans ahead of the Premier League match at St James' Park(Image: PA)

Ugly scenes broke out ahead of today's Tyne-Wear Derby as Newcastle and Sunderland fans clashed outside St. James' Park.

The lunchtime kick off between the local rivals in the Premier League saw police forced to get involved after bottles were seen being flung towards officers and rival supporter brawled. Incidents reportedly happened when Sunderland fans broke away from the police escort.

Small groups on both fanbases were allegedly antagonising each other. Bottles were then thrown towards Sunderland fans and officers in the escort. Police were also seen breaking up the altercations ahead of kick off as fans made their way inside the stadium.

[A police officer reacts as a bottle is thrown during clashes between Sunderland and Newcastle United fans before the Premier League match at St James' Park, Newcastle upon Tyne. Picture date: Sunday March 22, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.]

A police officer reacts as a bottle is thrown during clashes between Sunderland and Newcastle United fans(Image: PA)

Telegraph reporter Luke Edwards claimed to have seen "fights" break out between supporters as police escorted fans through the home support.

He wrote on X: "Fights have broken out close to St James Park. Small groups of Sunderland supporters had broken away from police escort and walked through large gathering of Newcastle fans. And were predictably attacked."

Police were seen leading a number of fans away but have since confirmed one arrest. Northumbria Police have confirmed in update that an increased police presence is around the city.

[Editorial use only. All images are copyright Every Second Media Limited. No images may be reproduced without prior permission. All rights reserved. Premier League and Football League images are subject to licensing agreements with Football DataCo Limited. see https://www.football-dataco.com Mandatory Credit: Photo by Lee Keuneke/Every Second Media/Shutterstock (16785587w) Sunderland fans make their way to the ground ahead of the Newcastle United v Sunderland Premier League match at St. James' Park, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England on 22 March 2026. Credit: Every Second Media Newcastle United v Sunderland, Premier League, St. James' Park, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England - 22 Mar 2026]

A Sunderland fan being led away from Newcastle supports by police(Image: Lee Keuneke/Every Second Media/Shutterstock)

We are aware of a number of videos circulating on social media in relation to Newcastle United and Sunderland supporters goading one another, a Northumbria Police spokesperson said.

In the main, everyone has co-operated and we are able to report that one arrest was made ahead of kick-off. We will continue to have an increased police presence in the city centre.

There was also unconfirmed reports that the Sunderland team bus had been pelted with bottles as it arrived at St James Park.

Newcastle supporters were also seen climbing on top of bus shelters among a heavy police presence.

[Newcastle United v Sunderland at St. James' Park, Newcastle Upon Tyne ------ fans.]

Newcastle fans were seen on top of bus shelters as police escorted rival fans through (Image: Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle)

Users on social media reacted to the scenes with many calling them "shameful" as the majority entered the stadium peacefully to watch the huge game.

Newcastle have not beaten Sunderland in the Premier League in the Tyne-Wear derby at home since a 5-1 victory in 2010.

At the time of writing, the home team were given the best start as Anthony Gordon gave Newcastle a very early lead.

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