Bob Stokoe statue urination video: Man charged

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, The statue of Bob Stokoe celebrates his managing Sunderland to victory in the 1973 FA Cup

A man has been charged over a video appearing to show a Newcastle United fan urinating on a Sunderland football statue.

The sculpture outside the Stadium of Light is in honour to Bob Stokoe, who managed Sunderland to FA Cup victory in 1973 having won it as a player with Newcastle in 1955.

A 21-year-old man has been charged with disorderly conduct and criminal damage, Northumbria Police said.

He is due before magistrates later.

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, The statue outside Sunderland's Stadium of Light shown in this file photo is a popular gathering point

Stokoe was born into a mining family near Prudhoe, Northumberland, and signed for Newcastle in 1947.

He went on to make 261 appearances over 13 years for the Magpies, including their 3-1 win over Manchester City in the 1955 FA Cup final.

He became the manager of Second Division Sunderland in 1972, winning the FA Cup with a 1-0 win over the holders Leeds United the following year, and leading them to the league championship and promotion to the First Division in 1976.

The statue was unveiled in 2006 and depicts him running in jubilation on to the Wembley pitch at the end of the FA Cup win.

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