Tribunal set Sunderland fees
A tribunal have set Sunderland more than £1 million in transfer fees.
Sunderland are facing a bill of more than £1 million after a Football League tribunal set fees for three of the club's summer signings.The Black Cats learned on Wednesday what money they will need to hand over to Manchester City for Stephen Elliott, Oxford United for Dean Whitehead and Mansfield Town for Liam Lawrence.
The Stadium of Light club will have to pay City £125,000 up front for Elliott and upwards of an additional £100,000 for a total of 50 appearances for the North East side.
City will also receive £100,000 if Sunderland are promoted to The Premiership and £50,000 if Elliott earns a cap with Republic of Ireland.
The Premiership club will also get a 25 percent sell-on fee, if Elliott (pictured) leaves Sunderland in the future.
Oxford, meanwhile, will receive £175,000 up front for Whitehead, with an additional £75,000 for 50 appearances with his current club.
The U's will also be entitled to an extra £100,000 for a Sunderland promotion, £50,000 if he earns an international cap and a 25 percent sell-on fee.
Lawrence will cost Sunderland £175,000 up front - a fee that could rise to £375,000 in the future - with Mansfield also getting 25 percent sell-on clause.
Black Cats chairman Bob Murray believes the tribunal fees will prove to be money well spent for the trio.
"Mick identified all three players as exciting young prospects and we were determined to bring them to Sunderland," Murray told the club's official website.
"I'm confident all three players will prove to be good signings so we fully expected to pay out a reasonable level of compensation."
Meanwhile, Sunderland have confirmed they are investigating alleged public order offence incidents involving four of their young players.
Chris Brown, Ryan Bell, Sean Taylor and Niall Flynn have all been suspended from club duties until enquiries have been completed.
The action comes after Brown, Bell and Taylor were cautioned by Northumbria Police last week following reports the three men were firing pellets out of a car.
In a separate matter on Saturday evening, teenager Flynn was arrested and bailed for a similar incident.
