Sunderland chairman Quinn gets fans home by taxi

LONDON (Reuters) - Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn has paid 8,000 pounds to get about 80 fans home by taxi from Bristol after supporters were turned off a plane for alleged rowdy behaviour, media reported on Monday.

A complaint by the pilot led to police removing fans from the plane as it waited at Bristol airport, several hours after second division Sunderland's 1-0 win at Cardiff City.

The flight was eventually cancelled.

Quinn paid for a fleet of 14 taxis to take the supporters back to Sunderland, some 300 miles away.

The airline, easyJet, said the flight was cancelled because of "disruptive behaviour" and added that passengers not involved in the incident were offered an alternative flight or overnight accommodation.

Police said: "The pilot of a flight asked for the supporters to be removed from the flight because he believed they were drunk, which is an offence." No arrests were made.

Quinn has defended the fans and was quoted on Monday as telling Newcastle paper The Journal: "We vehemently oppose the airline's view that there was disruptive behaviour on the plane.

"The mood was humorous and everyone was in good spirits after our fine victory.

"The club was happy to provide transport back to the North-East for the group, which included children, elderly and disabled fans as their safety and wellbeing was paramount."