In the closing minutes of the game, Granit Xhaka, sidelined due to an injury, became involved in a heated verbal exchange with West Ham fans seated nearby. This confrontation led to a temporary halt in the match by the referee.
TV cameras captured Xhaka expressing his frustration towards the crowd. Following a brief intermission, the game was able to continue once order was restored.
Even after the match concluded, the discord continued. Xhaka found himself in another disagreement with a supporter. For safety, his teammates and medical personnel had to guide him away, making an already difficult day for Sunderland even more challenging.
This is not the first run-in Xhaka has had with fans. Back in 2019, his angry response to being booed by Arsenal supporters made headlines. Despite criticism and social media abuse, he remained with the club until 2023. Xhaka later moved to Bayer Leverkusen, contributing to their Bundesliga triumph in the 2023-24 season under coach Xabi Alonso.
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