Sunderland

Sunderland lift Phil Bardsley's club suspension

By Joe Fish, Reporter | 04 September 2013

Phil Bardsley's club suspension is lifted by Sunderland after the out-of-favour full-back apologised for mocking the Black Cats' opening-day defeat to Fulham.

Sunderland will allow Phil Bardsley to return to training with the club after the full-back apologised for mocking their opening-day defeat to Fulham.

The former Manchester United player, who is heavily out of favour under Paolo Di Canio, had been under a club suspension for posting the comment: "Great opening day. Hahahhahaha hahahhaha!!!", on social media site Instagram following Sunderland's 1-0 Premier League defeat to the Cottagers.

However, the situation has now been resolved, with Bardsley being disciplined internally by the Black Cats and issuing a formal statement of apology in which he admitted his wrongdoing.

The statement read: "I would like to apologise to the club and supporters for my comments made on social media. I understand how they may have been interpreted and it was a serious error of judgement.

"I accept the punishment that has been handed to me by the football club and will now focus my attention and efforts on rehabilitation and regaining my fitness."

The 28-year-old had been forced to train with the Sunderland's Under-21s throughout the summer and is still unlikely to feature in Di Canio's first-team plans.