Sunderland lost before a ball was even kicked with that horrendous third kit

As if Sunderland’s season wasn’t already going to be difficult enough, they decided it was okay to play in this monstrosity against Tottenham – and presumably for a few more matches this season.

This Sunderland kit is a bit nauseating# pic.twitter.com/JiAQ4q9a75

— Le Grove (@LeGrove) September 18, 2016

Pink and purple – they might be the Black Cats, but they look an awful lot more like this cat in their third kit.

Sunderland in their kit like.. pic.twitter.com/IhV8qzjgDQ

— Hannah (@OhSantiHanzorla) September 18, 2016

The football world was united in disgust. And we can only imagine how the players wearing the thing feel about it.

That Sunderland away kit: pic.twitter.com/nDIVkLHueI

— Coral (@Coral) September 18, 2016

That Sunderland away kit is horrific

— James (@matkinsj) September 18, 2016

My first live view of Sunderland's pink and purple kit. Wow, it's bad.

— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) September 18, 2016

Sunderland deserve to be relegated just for there away kit #THFC #SAFC

— Lewis Gillott (@Lewisg678) September 18, 2016

WTF is that Sunderland kit about !!! Purely for that alone they should lose

— Paul Butler (@paul26cfc) September 18, 2016

What is that Sunderland kit all about?it looks like it was designed by some1 who hates football.

— DAVYLEFT.OBE.MBE (@davywright65) September 18, 2016

We found one person who was proud of owning it.

I am pleased to announce that I have finally bought the Sunderland third kit. CC: @ConductaUK

— Hu Sane (@Jamalavision) September 4, 2016

They clearly hadn’t seen this picture before purchasing.

James May sporting his Sunderland away kit pic.twitter.com/WHJDOqWTe9

— Josh Roberts (@joshtroberts) September 18, 2016

It’s helping to put things into perspective for some fans.

Whatever calamities West Ham may be experiencing we may be thankful that they are nothing in comparison to Sunderland's away kit.

— bob evans (@thebobevans) September 18, 2016

Maybe it’s all just a clever ploy?

Sunderland so desperate to stay in Premier League their kit matches new PL branding colours pic.twitter.com/4O4qsIFGqS

— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) September 18, 2016

But really we just all want to know: Why, even, was this allowed to happen?

A) Who designed this Sunderland kit and b) why didn't someone stop them?

— TheODDSbible (@TheOddsBible) September 18, 2016

Get in the sea, kit.

Sunderland kit designers were smashing the Maoams for inspiration on the new kit… ð· pic.twitter.com/GCFABF2pC9

— Ollie Wheatley (@OllieWheatley) September 18, 2016

And all of you go with it.

Have to say, I quite like this Sunderland away kit. Wasn't too fond of it when I first saw it but it looks good on the players.

— Alana Johnson (@alanajohnson25) September 18, 2016