Those two reasons:
1) They fear the away fans will out-sing their own supporters.
2) They couldn't care less if the clubs involved cut their allocation in a tit-for-tat reaction ... because they don't normally sell out their away allocation anyway!
Childish Mackems Will Feel Backlash!
Manchester United fans follow the Toon Army in having their ticket allocation
slashed, for "not using the seats provided at the Stadium of Light".
Man Utd's Boxing Day clash with the Black Cats will have less United fans after being branded "serial standers".
slashed, for "not using the seats provided at the Stadium of Light".
Man Utd's Boxing Day clash with the Black Cats will have less United fans after being branded "serial standers".
The Stadium of Light chiefs are looking to slash the Premiership champions' ticket allocation from 3,000 to 1,500 amid safety fears.
It will be the third time in subsequent visits United's fans have had their ranks restricted.
And Sunderland City Council, which is responsible for safety at the Stadium of Light, also plans to cut the number of tickets for Newcastle United and Aston Villa fans, from 3,000 to 2,700, again because of problems caused by supporters standing during previous visits.
But, just as the situation in the early 1990's when Sir John Hall and Bob Murray refused to give the away fans tickets in the Tyne/Wear derby ... Newcastle look set to cut Sunderland's allocation when they come to St James' Park on April 19th.
It is Toon chairman Chris Mort's first year in the job, but I'm sure he will get wise to the Mackems.
The away section at Newcastle is sold in three sections, with the visiting club choosing how many tickets they require. But that may not be the case in April, with Sunderland being offered only two blocks.
For safety reasons ... of course!