Sunderland approved the wording of Newcastle’s black-and-white signage before Christmas - and it would have been used inside the Stadium of Light if not for a supporter backlash.
Mail Sport can reveal that senior figures at the Championship club were sent the slogans for use by Newcastle on December 21, and confirmed their approval in writing the same day.
Sunderland had asked the Magpies to decorate the Black Cats Bar – where some away fans will be housed for Saturday’s FA Cup third-round tie - in their own colours to safeguard against damage to the red-and-white interior.