Fan Letters: “Sunderland Were Robbed By Inept Officials”

“Hang your heads in shame”, says Rob Brown of the officials after yet more controversy at the Vitality Stadium.

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Fan Letters: “Sunderland Were Robbed By Inept Officials”

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 28: Referee, Jarred Gillett shows a yellow card to Alex Toth of AFC Bournemouth during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Sunderland at Vitality Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Roker Report

Mon, March 2, 2026 at 6:00 AM UTC·
3 min read

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Dear Roker Report,

Jarred Gillett: what a farcical performance yet again from a sub-standard referee and the bollocks you call VAR.

Yet again, Sunderland have been robbed by inept officials and VAR.

Hang your heads in shame — utter s***e, the lot of you.

Totally robbed of victory on Saturday by shit decisions.

Rob Brown

Ed’s Note [Phil]: Hi, Rob. Thank you for your letter.

*It was yet another dismal refereeing performance from Gillett on Saturday and it was deeply frustrating because Sunderland did so much right and would’ve been excellent value for a victory, but when decisions of that nature go against you — and in such ridiculous fashion — what can you do?*

*I’m not fond of blaming officials if the result doesn’t entirely go your way but it was just impossible to overlook the influence of the referee during this game, and I think it needs to spark a robust debate about refereeing standards in this country — which are currently as low as I can ever remember them.*

Dear Roker Report,

The recent transfer rumours regarding Robin Roefs made me think that perhaps it’s not important whether he leaves this summer or not.

What may be more important is this: he’s a great person on and off the pitch. Both he and the club have profited enormously from the collaboration and both will be better off for it — no matter how long the relationship lasts.

More generally speaking, Roefs is one of many current and past players at the club whom we should perhaps be very happy to welcome back after their playing career is over. As a goalkeeping coach, general coach, scout, head coach or Director of Football — whatever might suit the talents and motivation of the given person; people who seem to ‘get’ Sunderland.

There have been — and still are — so many good characters at the club recently. It’s wonderful to see.

Hats off to Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, Régis Le Bris, David Bruce, Florent Ghisolfi, Kristjaan Speakman, Stuart Harvey, Tony Mowbray, Mike Dodds, Alex Neill, Dan Neil, Anthony Patterson, Jobe and Lynden Gooch, who’ve contributed so well to the positive developments at the club in recent years.

And hats off to similar great characters from older days like Bob Murray, Peter Reid, Niall Quinn, Kevin Phillips and Stefan Schwarz.

Dan Ejstrup

Ed’s Note [Phil]: Hi, Dan. Thank you for getting in touch.

*I think Roefs’ popularity throws a spotlight on something I’ve been impressed with for some time: that Sunderland aren’t merely looking to recruit talented footballers with skill, physicality and creativity, but that they’re eager to bring in lads with the right kind of personality and values.*

*It’s a process that’s been ongoing for quite some time and although we’ve made the odd misstep in the transfer market, I don’t think anyone could look at this squad and be unimpressed with its collective personality and the way the players conduct themselves.*

After so many years of signing absolute dross, it’s been a welcome change and hopefully it continues in the years to come.

Dear Roker Report,

I’ve read with interest various fans saying the atmosphere versus Liverpool and especially versus Fulham was poor — and a lot of it was aimed at the fans as if they were to blame for the poor play.

However, in my opinion, that was the worst we’ve played at home and the fans had little to cheer about.

In the first half versus Liverpool, we hardly ventured into their half and as soon as we got near the halfway line, the ball went sideways or backwards.

The first half versus Fulham was similar, but I thought the fans were trying to boost the players as we were cheering every knock down in their half and when Fulham were having to pass the ball all the way back to the goalkeeper.

The atmosphere for Arsenal and Manchester City at home was different because we also ventured forward and at times took the game to them — which gives the fans something to get excited about.

I sometimes feel that some fans think the atmosphere has to be kept going for the full ninety minutes plus the usual added-on time, but watching matches on TV shows that this doesn’t happen at the majority of games.

Fans and players feed off each other. We have to try to be the ‘twelfth man’ in order to help the players but at the same time, they need to do something to help the fans.

Peter Welsh

Ed’s Note [Phil]: Hi, Peter. Thank you for your letter.

*I’ve always felt that what makes a good atmosphere at the Stadium of Light is the quality of the football on the pitch. I think this is borne out by virtue of the fact that many of the stadium’s greatest atmospheres were generated at a time when we had players with the capacity to excite the fans, and I’d say the class of 2025/2026 certainly falls into that category.*

*Our home stadium is at its best when the Lads play aggressive, purposeful and front- foot football — something that we’re certainly capable of — but against Fulham and Liverpool, we did look tentative and unsure of ourselves at times, which led to anxiety filtering down from the stands.*

*As you say, it’s a mutual relationship and I hope that by the time we return home for the Brighton game later this month, everyone will be feeling more upbeat and that it translates into a lively atmosphere.*

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