Sunderland’s players FIGHT with Al-Shabab as tensions boil over in feisty friendly
>
So much for a FRIENDLY! Sunderland players FIGHT with Al-Shabab as tensions run high in a spirited clash in Dubai…as co-owner Juan Sartori rushes onto the pitch to scatter scrap metal
- Sunderland’s friendly meeting with Al-Shabab erupted into a fight on Friday afternoon
- Tensions ran high after a late challenge from Dennis Cirkin in the second half
- Lynden Gooch was involved because both sets of players had to be separated by staff
Sunderland’s friendly against Al-Shabab in Dubai proved anything but as the two sides clashed, putting the match at risk of being postponed.
With Sunderland leading 1-0 thanks to a goal from Amad Diallo, the story of the game soon turned to an ugly near center circle confrontation with Lynden Gooch among those battling with Al-Shabab’s players.
The fight escalated with more players getting involved and resulted in Sunderland co-owner Juan Sartori taking to the field to try and restore some peace and order, with some Black Cats stars leaving the field in the aftermath.
The Sunderland players battled their opponents from Al-Shabab in a friendly match in Dubai on Friday
The Sunderland echo reported that tensions had risen during the first half, with goalscorer Amad being brought down ‘with a terrible scissors tackle’ after half an hour.
Five minutes before the break, striker Ellis Simms was booked after colliding with an Al Shabab player, sparking a shoving and shoving match.
As usual in friendlies, there was a slew of substitutions at half time, but tensions were not eased when Gooch collided with his opponent four minutes after the restart.
And then, 13 minutes from the end, both sets of players came to blows in a fight that almost saw the match stopped.
Sunderland’s Dennis Cirkin was challenged late by an Al-Shabab player – only for the referee to award Al-Shabab a free kick, enraging the Black Cats.
After a late foul on Sunderland’s Dennis Cirkin, the two sets of players clashed
Gooch quickly ran over to dispute the call with the referee, but Gooch was confronted by an Al-Shabab player, leading to a fight.
Sartori and Sunderland’s backroom staff quickly rushed onto the field to try and diffuse the situation.
No red cards were handed out, but Gooch and the offending Al-Shabab player were both withdrawn before any further penalties could be administered.
Sunderland are taking advantage of the mid-season break due to the World Cup, with their Championship campaign not resuming until they play Millwall at the Stadium of Light on December 3.
Tony Mowbray’s squad enjoys a warm-weather training camp during this mid-season break