Sunderland fans banned from the Stadium of Light as police investigate trouble at Newcastle Central Station have launched a petition against the move.

Supporters returning from a pre-season friendly at Hearts on August 8 were caught up in the incident, and more than 40 arrests were made as violence flared.

Four people were hospitalised and others received minor injuries, although no-one has yet been charged in connection with the trouble.

However, several Sunderland season ticket holders last week received letters informing them that they were no longer welcome at the stadium in line with the club's policy of banning anyone arrested in connection with an incident of football violence.

The club insists anyone eventually cleared of involvement will be allowed to return, but has cited its responsibility to protect other fans as the reason for the action.

Now some of the supporters affected have launched an on-line petition, with the backing of the Football Supporters' Federation, in an attempt to persuade chairman Niall Quinn to lift the ban.

FSF chair Dr Malcolm Clarke said: "The Sunderland fans behind this petition, a group of supporters who post on the Ready To Go Message Board, approached The Football Supporters' Federation last week when news of the bans broke and asked for our help in protesting against the decision.

"We are seeing more and more clubs treating fans in this way, receive similar complaints from supporters up and down the country and are delighted that these Sunderland supporters are prepared to take a stand. We will help them in whatever ways we can.

"I have little doubt that the protest will attract the support and solidarity of fans the length and breadth of the country, many of whom suffer exactly the same problems at their own clubs.

"The FSF's ticketing group are currently looking into whether or not Sunderland's policy contradicts their season ticket terms and conditions - we believe it might - and we will be taking this matter up separately with the club.

"In the meantime, we sincerely hope Mr Quinn will listen to his team's supporters on this issue.

"Sunderland's chairman has an excellent reputation as a man who truly values his team's supporters, and if he can't see that this policy is deplorable then we might as well all just give up and go home."

But a statement from Sunderland reiterated the club's policy on such matters.

Chief executive Steve Walton said: "Sunderland AFC operates a zero tolerance policy for anti-social behaviour and has to consider the safety of the majority of fans when there is any allegation of this type of behaviour or football related violence.

"It is club policy to temporarily suspend season tickets or ban match-to-match attenders from the stadium in the event they have been arrested and are on bail or if they have charged with an offence until the results of such an investigation or court action has been concluded.

"The club does not have the necessary authority to investigate or pass judgement on individuals in the interim period as it is not a party to police investigations or actions.

"In the event an individual is found guilty, he/she will be given a banning order by the courts and in the event an individual is found to be innocent, he/she will be welcomed back to the stadium."