Sunderland players offer refund to fans after 8-0 defeat

Sunderland players offer refund to fans after 8-0 defeat by Southampton


The Sunderland captain, John O'Shea, says the players need to acknowledge the support they received at St Mary's. Photograph: James Marsh/BPI/Rex

Sunderland’s shell-shocked players have offered to refund the cost of supporters’ tickets for their 8-0 Premier League humiliation at Southampton.





More than 2,500 fans who made the long trip to the south coast on Saturday will be able to claim back the cost of admission, or have the sum donated to city-based children’s hospice Grace House instead.



The Sunderland captain, John O’Shea, said: “We win and lose as a team, players, staff and fans. However, we wanted to acknowledge and thank the supporters who travelled such a long way to give us their backing and despite everything, stayed with us until the final whistle.”



Saturday’s defeat was Sunderland’s worst in 32 years, leaving the manager, Gus Poyet, to admit it was “the most embarrassed I’ve ever been on a pitch, without any doubt”.



The goalkeeper Vito Mannone suggested the idea immediately after the horror show during which he picked the ball out of his net on eight occasions – with his own team-mates responsible for two of the goals.



The offer will cost the players in excess of £60,000. The fans have until 5pm on 5 November to submit a claim by returning their match ticket either in person or by post.