Di Canio to axe ‘antisocial’ Bardsley

Sunderland have suspended defender Phil Bardsley for his apparent mockery of his side’s opening-day defeat to Fulham.

The incident appears to surround a response from Bardsley to a picture posted by defender Scott Harrison on social networking site Instagram of the tunnel area at the end of Saturday’s 1-0 loss to the Cottagers at the Stadium of Light.

Bardsley, via his account which has since been deleted, reportedly replied with the words: “Great opening day. Hahahhahahahahahhaha!!!,” prompting a storm of protest from Black Cats fans.