Sunderland teenager Chris Rigg was slammed by some Newcastle United supporters as he celebrated Sunday’s derby win at St James’ Park.
Chris Rigg admitted he would be avoiding his dad after helping Sunderland claim a 2-1 win over Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Sunday.
The 18-year-old’s dad is a Newcastle United fan and Rigg himself supported the Magpies during his childhood while progressing through Sunderland’s academy.
But there were no mixed emotions for the midfielder on Sunday as he passionately celebrated the Black Cats’ derby double at St James’ Park in front of the visiting fans. He stood alone in front of the travelling supporters at full-time and filmed a short video.
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Chris Rigg on Sunderland derby win
Having grown up at the club he is closing in on making 100 senior appearances for, Rigg insists there is no debating where his loyalties lie.
“The media team told me to do it [return with the camera], and I was so buzzing,” Rigg said after the match. “The fans were unbelievable. We couldn’t have done that without them, and we did it for them.
“Sunderland are my club, I’ve been here my whole life. I come from a family of Newcastle fans, there is no point hiding that, but it changes when you play for Sunderland in front of those fans.
“My family being Newcastle fans has no impact on me, it doesn’t change the way I feel about Sunderland. The fans have been unbelievable. They could have thought, ‘Nah, he’s a Newcastle fan’ or whatever, but I think I’ve shown what this club means to me. It’s not really a debate.
“My dad gives me a little bit of stick, but he comes to all Sunderland’s games. I think he is a secret Mackem now. He puts his son above everything, he loves watching me and he absolutely loves coming to our games.”
When asked whether his dad was at St James’ Park on Sunday, Rigg added: “No, he wasn’t here. He was at home.
“He probably won’t be happy. He’ll be happy for me, but obviously that’s his team. I probably won’t see him now… I’ll have to try and hide from him again!”
Chris Rigg faces backlash from furious Newcastle United fan
Rigg posing in front of the Sunderland supporters at the end of the game did not go down well with the few Newcastle fans still in attendance.
One supporter had to be held back from entering the pitch and making his way to the player as he screamed abuse at the 18-year-old, labelling him a ‘------- turncoat’ in reference to his Newcastle connections and supposed change of loyalties.
The incident was quickly de-escalated as Rigg made his way down the tunnel unfazed. The fan, furious on the back of another derby defeat.
Ultimately, it was another bad moment in a day of bad moments for Newcastle and their supporters who had to witness a dismal derby showing which saw the side drop to 12th in the table with seven games left to play.
Newcastle 5th, 7th and 4th in every full season under head coach Eddie Howe but are on course for their lowest finish since the PIF-led takeover in 2021. Howe took charge of a winless Newcastle side who didn’t win a Premier League game until December but was still able to turn things around, avoid relegation and finish 11th in the table.
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