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Fans thought injured supporter was dying
SUNDERLAND fans needed counselling after witnessing traumatic scenes during a flare-up with police, it has been claimed.
They sought help after seeing what they feared was a fellow supporter was dying in front of them, from head injuries he received during the controversial incident at Newcastle Central Station,
At a press conference yesterday, the national Football Supporters' Federation (FSF) revealed two of the three fans who needed hospital treatment are considering legal action against Northumbria Police.
One is said to have needed reconstructive surgery, and another has been re-admitted to hospital.
FSF chairman Dr Malcolm Clarke told the conference at the Saltgrass pub in Deptford, Sunderland: "There is no suggestion that these injuries were caused by anything other than by police batons to the head or by police dog bites."
He added: "This was an extremely unusual situation in this country.
"We are normally used to dealing with these situations aboard, such as in Rome and Belgium, where there were serious injuries to supporters caused by the use of police batons."
Since the incident, which happened when Sunderland fans returned from a pre-season friendly in Edinburgh on August 8, there has been a war of words between the force and supporters, with both sides accusing each other of provoking the violence.
Police claimed Sunderland and Newcastle hooligans had pre-arranged a fight in the city, and they were trying to keep them apart.
The case was initially referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), but North East Commissioner Gary Garland cleared the Northumbria force of blame and said they would not investigate further.
But Dr Clarke said a probe should be carried out by a new IPCC commissioner.
An IPCC spokesman said: "We note Dr Clarke's comments, but Mr Garland stands by what he has said publicly.
"Given the evidence seen by the IPCC as part of its independent assessment we are content for the matter to remain with Northumbria Police."
Chief Superintendent Neil Mackay, of the force's Operations Department, said: "An independent assessment has been carried out by the IPCC which concluded officers did no wrongdoing, and in fact showed courage when faced with such violence.
"The IPCC is a fair and independent body, not connected with any police force, and we fully respect their judgement on this matter.
"An internal Northumbria Police investigation is now being carried out."
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Weather for South Shields
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 6 C
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Wind direction: South west
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