A SPORTING clash next weekend could still cause traffic and crowd problems, Great North Run organisers have warned.
Sunderland’s match with Stoke City this Sunday at the Stadium of Light will now start at 3pm, two hours later than previously announced, after run chiefs warned of the crowd dangers.
The game was moved from its original Saturday 3pm time slot to 1pm on Sunday due to Stoke’s involvement in the Europa League competition.
But concerns were raised over the clash, with Run organisers warning North East road and rail networks could descend into chaos
And it was hoped the announcement to move the game to 3pm would ease those fears.
Paul Weir, SAFC’s head of safety and security: “Naturally this has been hugely frustrating for the club and more importantly for our supporters.
“We know that such a late change to a game that has already been moved once is far from ideal, especially given that there were no concerns over the safety of supporters in the original scheduling.
“We fully sympathise with fans – both home and away – who may be adversely affected by this decision and we share in their frustrations at a situation which has ultimately been beyond the control of Sunderland AFC.”
