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Sunderland director: ‘Fans who stream matches are parasites’

Charlie Methven has spoken out against supporters who choose to watch games online rather than paying for a ticket at the Stadium of Light

Sunderland director Charlie Methven has labelled supporters who watch illegal streams of matches "parasites" as he continues to confront the club’s fan base.

Methven, a public relations expert, came in alongside new owner Stewart Donald, who took over from the much-maligned Ellis Short ahead of the 2018-19 season. The north-eastern club endured a second successive relegation last season, dropping out of the Championship and into League One in a campaign when they were expected to push for an immediate return to the top flight.