Paolo Di Canio rages over Phil Bardsley

Paolo Di Canio launched an angry attack on the discipline of his squad after Scotland international Phil Bardsley was pictured laying on the floor of a casino covered in £50 notes.

Ex-Rangers defender Bardsley was left out of Sunderland’s squad for yesterday’s 1-0 defeat at Tottenham after the picture of him - taken after Sunderland’s survival was assured on Tuesday night following Wigan’s loss at Arsenal - was printed in The People newspaper. “I saw the picture on a website and moments later he was out of my squad,” said Di Canio. “I want to deliver a very clear message: there is no excuse to behave like he did.”