Chief Exec Margaret Byrne has allegedly said that club owner Ellis Short was ready to sign up the Devil if it mean’t Sunderland would stay up. - This is apparently in reference to the signing of Italian Paolo Di Canio, as manager Sunderland to save the club from relegation.
It was also alleged that Byrne said she would tell Durham Miners Association to stick their banner, having asked for it back from the Stadium in protest against the self proclaimed fascist Di Canio's appointment.
All this has came from a High Court Case where the ex-marketing director Michael Farnan brings a civil claim to the club. He believes he was wrongfully dismissed, and is looking for a loss of earning claim too.
The Durham Miners comment Farnan claims Byrne said over dinner at a London restaurant, before Sunderland took on Chelsea the following day.
Byrne has denied the comments, saying that its not true, also claiming she didn’t sit next to Farnan at the meal he’s referring too.
Byrne rubbished the devil remarks before employing Di Canio, but they did meet with him before then manager Martin O’Neill had been sacked. Claiming O’Neill had not turned up to training at the Academy for several days, which added to his dismissal.
The employment of Di Canio had also been seen as why Vice Chairman and former MP David Miliband handed in his notice.