Sunderland fans have been branded ‘disgraceful’ after leaving rubbish all over Trafalgar Square.
As has become tradition for Sunderland supporters when their team play at Wembley, fans gathered in central London.
On Saturday afternoon Sunderland are taking on Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final as the Black Cats look to secure their return to the Premier League for the first time since 2017.
However, Sunderland fans have come in for criticism ahead of the clash at Wembley.
Footage emerged of social media of bottles, cans, plastic bags and other litter at Trafalgar Square.
A Newcastle supporter wrote on X: ‘Sunderland fans making themselves at home, literally, in Trafalgar Square. Disgraceful’.
Sunderland supporters have been criticised after leaving rubbish in Trafalgar Square
Sunderland are looking to return to the Premier League for the first time since 2017
It has become tradition for Sunderland fans to party in Trafalgar Square ahead of games at Wembley
Sunderland supporters were seen with flares on Friday as they partied ahead of the game
Journalist Michael Graham, who supports Sunderland, explained that fans had offered to help with clearing up the litter but were instructed not to do so by police.
Graham wrote on X: ‘When the police made people disperse around midnight, #SAFC fans offered to stay to tidy up. Police sent them away as the clean-up teams were already on their way.’
Sunderland secured their place in the Championship play-offs by finishing in fourth place in the table.
They beat Coventry 3-2 on aggregate in the play-off semi-final, with Daniel Ballard scoring a dramatic stoppage time winner.
After being relegated from the top flight in 2017, Sunderland then went down to League One the following year.
Sunderland eventually returned to the Championship in 2022 and are now pushing for another promotion.
Regis Le Bris side will be aware that they will face a tough challenge against Sheffield United but will be hopeful that they can prevail.
