Sunderland threaten Di Canio with legal action

Statement for Sunderland AFC.

Sunderland AFC would like to express its’ disappointment in relation to the disparaging comments made recently by Paolo Di Canio, regarding the club and its players.

The club is immensely proud of its players for the dignified and restrained manner in which they have conducted themselves publicly since Mr Di Canio’s departure and it is particularly disappointing to read such comments when there are legal obligations in place to ensure such behaviour does not occur.

The club is now considering its position with its legal representatives.

Having reached a cup final for the first time in 22 years, whilst also enjoying a run of only one loss in 12 games, we want to focus on what is a positive time for the football club and we would hope it is possible to draw a line under this matter quickly and that there will be no repetition.

Neither the club, head coach Gus Poyet nor the players will be making any further comment on the situation. We are looking forward, not back and are focusing on the vital games we have ahead of us.

http://www.safc.com/news/club-news/2014/january/club-statement-on-di-canio

What he said:

It did not go down well when, during his weekend interviews, Di Canio suggested he was "too good" for Sunderland before claiming it is his "destiny" to manager West Ham United.

The former West Ham striker and Swindon manager also said he was partly undone by the 14 summer signings made by Sunderland's former director of football Roberto De Fanti, none of whom he claims were players he had asked to be recruited.

He left his most scathing critism for Bardsley and Clattermole, however.

"Those two players [Clattermole and Bardsley] were rotten," he said. "The most unprofessional players I ever worked with. What Bardsley has done in the last year speaks volumes. Photos of him lying on the floor in a casino covered by £50 notes and laughing at the team losing on the opening day, that's public. It's no surprise these players were kicked out of my plans. The reason Sunderland stayed up at the end of last season was because Clattermole was injured and Bardsley played very little."

To be fair, if Bardsley really did do that, then he is a bit of an arsehole

Sueing him won't do any good, but Di Canio should just shut up. He was out of his depth in the Prem and his management is all about anger and fear. Pls go.

Art Morte wrote:Sueing him won't do any good, but Di Canio should just shut up. He was out of his depth in the Prem and his management is all about anger and fear. Pls go.

There was a stipulation as part of his severance to keep quiet.  By giving these interviews he has broke that.

Any further payments to be made could be withheld or payments already made to him claimed back.

It seems like there are plenty of stories the club and players have about him but they have kept quiet and moved on. He should of done the same.

NQP, is right.

Gary Lineker mentioned that Malky Mackay couldn't talk about Vincent Tan on MOTD either.