A mayor has claimed away fans are being treated like "hooligans" ahead of Saturday's Wear-Tyne derby.
In order to receive their tickets, Newcastle United fans must travel on a convoy of specially-operated buses to Sunderland's Stadium of Light ahead of the match on Saturday.
Police say public transport would otherwise struggle to cope with both sets of fans attempting to reach the ground ahead of kick-off at 1245 GMT.
North of Tyne mayor Jamie Driscoll said police should allow Newcastle fans to make their own way to the match and not "demonise law-abiding people".
Political row
More than 6,000 Newcastle United fans are expected to travel to Sunderland for the clash, with the club putting on designated coaches to ferry them to and from the ground.