It has not been a good season for Sunderland Football Club. Last month they sacked manager Simon Grayson yet currently remain in 23 place of the Championship. On Saturday they were beaten 3-1 by Reading at home, had a player sent-off and a fan reportedly defecated on his seat in the stand.
The teen at the centre of this 'poo-gate' scandal has come forward today to clarify events. Callum Mawson, 17, told the Mirror he drank 12 beers and six ciders before the game, having only eaten two chocolates from an advent calendar.
I had been out all night the night before at a party - that probably didn't help. I got home at 8am and started drinking about 9am.
The fan also apologised for his actions.
I am apologetic for it, I am sorry. I didn't defecate on the seat, that's the God's honest truth. I can't recall any of it.
I got to the ground, sat in my seat and the next thing I remember was I was being in the holding cell in the stadium. I didn't find out about the whole incident until half 11 at night when my friend told me. It was all over Facebook. Gary Lineker had put it on his Twitter.
The teenager has been a Sunderland season ticket holder for the last three years and hopes he will not be banned from the Stadium of Light for life after it all.
It's embarrassing, I'm ashamed. I didn't even know what I was doing.
A lad who sat next to me put on Twitter saying it didn't happen. He said, 'I can confirm he didn't have a shit in his seat'. He said, 'I can I can confirm he had a piss'. I'd rather it be that then having a shit on the seat. But I'd rather it be nothing at all.I think I must have been so drunk I thought I was on the toilet.
That's the only thing I can think of. I wouldn't have done it for no reason.
Mawson's denial has been backed up by a Northumbria Police spokeswoman:
Further to media reports reporting a fan defecated on his seat during the Sunderland v Reading match on Saturday, police would like to clarify that this was not the case.
With that, the engrossing poo-gate scandal draws to a close. It's telling that the fan blamed alcohol for his behaviour, as this seems to be the go-to for Sunderland fans this season. Just last week a fan rang into a talk-show featuring new Sunderland manager Chris Coleman after he'd "had a few cans."
[Mirror]
