Fan sues Sunderland after being hit by stray ball

A football fan is suing Sunderland after being knocked out by a stray shot while watching a training session, it has emerged.

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn revealed the legal action had started while appearing on a BBC radio phone-in.

The club boss was asked on BBC Newcastle's Total Sport programme by a caller whether the club would allow fans to watch the players train, which had been allowed previously.

Quinn replied: "We had a supporter who got a bad injury,

"I think it was one of Djibril Cisse's misses where he had a shot from 20 yards.

"I'm making fun of it now, but it knocked a supporter out. It was quite serious.

"That supporter is in the process of suing us right now."

Sunderland declined to comment when asked for more details.

Cisse played for Sunderland 38 times in the 2008-9 season, scoring 11 times, while on loan from Marseille.