ITV viewers left angered by Newcastle and Sunderland kit clash in FA Cup Tyne-Wear derby

ITV viewers left angered by Newcastle and Sunderland kit clash in FA Cup Tyne-Wear derby

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Stuart Ballard

By Stuart Ballard


Published: 06/01/2024

- 13:11

Updated: 06/01/2024

- 14:12

Newcastle and Sunderland were facing off in the first Tyne-Wear derby in seven years in the FA Cup third round.

ITV viewers had a hard time differentiating between Newcastle and Sunderland players for the third-round clash between the two arch-rivals with both teams wearing their home kits.

Arguably the tie of the FA Cup third round was when Newcastle and Sunderland were drawn to face one another.


It's the first time the two city rivals are playing against each other since 2016 when they two sides drew 1-1.

Sunderland have been out of the Premier League since being relegated in 2017, but they're pushing for promotion back to the top flight this year to bring an end to their fans' wait for a league meeting with their bitter rivals.

Newcastle and Sunderland were wearing their home kits

Newcastle and Sunderland were wearing their home kits

PA

However, the FA Cup has offered an early route to renewing that rivalry at the Stadium of Light.

The game was shown live on ITV with the Sunderland ground packed out for the hotly-anticipated derby.

But viewers found it difficult to differentiate between the two teams as Newcastle opted to play in their home kit as opposed to their green away kit.

It was expected that Newcastle were going to wear their away shirt to avoid a kit clash with Sunderland, who also play in stripes.

One viewer fumed: "Being colourblind is making this match difficult to watch, Sunderland new Newcastle's kits are so similar."

Another moaned: "I’m sorry but whoever decided that both Sunderland and Newcastle should be able to wear their home kits wants shooting."

A third asked: "Sunderland vs Newcastle games we're always s**t to watch because of the obvious kit clash. They've done it again for this game...absolute shambles. Why aren't Newcastle wearing their away kit?"

A fourth wrote: "Getting a headache watching this Sunderland vs Newcastle thanks to their horrible kit clash."

Viewers found it tough to differentiate between the two teams

Viewers found it tough to differentiate between the two teams

PA

Another said: "Petition for one of Sunderland or Newcastle to change kits at HT, some mercy for us the visually challenged trying to identify them just by their socks."

Newcastle's last away win against Sunderland came nearly 13 years ago when they wore their famous black-and-white strip.

Ryan Taylor's free-kick gave Newcastle all three points that day, but the Magpies had worn an alternative strip at the Stadium of Light in fixtures after that game.

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Sunderland are hoping to return to the Premier League

Sunderland are hoping to return to the Premier League

PA

Sunderland will be hoping to give their fans another Tyne-Wear derby next year as they bid to earn promotion from the Championship.

They currently sit sixth in the table and are in a strong position to fight for a play-off spot.

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