Paolo Di Canio has been labelled a 'psycho drama queen' by Phil Bardsley's partner in the latest sign of mutiny at the club after the Sunderland boss handed out hefty fines to a number of players for breaking club rules.
And Sportsmail can reveal that the Italian's strict regime has even seen him ban sugar and tomato ketchup from the canteen at the club's training ground.
It comes at the end of a tumultuous week that has seen SEVEN players disciplined, a 24-minute rant from the manager at his final press conference of the season and the players themselves approaching the PFA over what they believe to be unfair fines.
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Dropped: Sunderland's Phil Bardsley, left, and Matthew Kilgallon were left out for the Spurs gameProfessionalism? Bardsley was pictured covered in £50 notes
Celebration: Bardsley and Matt Kilgallon celebrated in a casino after Wigan's defeat ensured their Premier League survival Infuriated: Robinson launched an attack on Di Canio
The Italian has also banned the use of mobile phones at Sunderland's Cleadon training complex as he stamps his authority on the club, which he believes suffers from a culture of indiscipline.
The former Swindon boss has taken the step of making changes to the training ground menu, which include forbidding the use of ketchup and sugar, to ensure his players are in the best possible shape.
Bardsley's girlfriend Tanya Robinson took to Twitter to slam the Black Cats boss after the Italian vowed her partner and team-mate Matthew Kilgallon would never play for the club again.
The pair were dropped for the Spurs game after they were both photographed in a casino celebrating after Wigan’s defeat at Arsenal on Tuesday, which guaranteed Sunderland’s Premier League survival.
Bardsley was pictured on the floor surrounded by £50 notes and two players are understood to have sought guidance from the PFA about whether they can be fined.
Robinson said in a tweet: 'He's not raped or killed any1 (sic) so certain people need to stop being psycho drama queens.'
Who is Tanya Robinson?Wigan-born Tanya Robinson is a 31-year-old glamour model.
She won FHM's 'High Street Honeys' competition in 2002.
As well as appearing in FHM, Robinson has regularly modelled for Zoo and Nuts.
Di Canio revealed at the weekend that he had fined seven players in the run-up to their final day defeat at Tottenham.
At White Hart Lane, Di Canio revealed the indiscretions, which he described as 'unacceptable behaviour', were for failing to take part in a signing session, lateness and avoiding calls from the club doctor.
PFA chairman Gordon Taylor said: 'There are rules laid down and we would expect Sunderland to adhere to those the same as every other club.
Getting involved: PFA chairman Gordon Taylor said two Sunderland players have come to the organisation asking for adviceNot happy: Paolo Di Canio is frustrated at the PFA's involvement
Bardsley left out in the cold
Phil Bardsley has been frozen out of the Sunderland first team over his embarrassing casino photograph.
Players were told to report for end-of-season fitness tests yesterday but Bardsley was told to arrive earlier than his team-mates to ensure he did not come into contact without the rest of the squad.
Di Canio accused Bardsley and Matthew Kilgallon, who was also involved, of arrogance over the pictures, whilst also claiming the pair would not play for him again in Sunday's post-match press conference.
However, while the Sunderland hierarchy are disappointed by the photograph it is also understood a number of senior Black Cats officials have been irritated by Di Canio's public outburst, preferring the matter to be dealt with internally.
Bardsley has 12 months left on his contract and the club will need to make a decision on his future as soon as possible.
SAMI MOKBEL'I don’t want to get into confrontation with them but the players can’t be treated just according to what Paolo thinks.
'There are rules and procedures that both he and the club need to adhere to.
'Yes, the players have come to us for representation. We are aware of the problem. The players did well for him when he came.
'There is a process. If the player has been fined and that is out of the regular code which is described by us and the Premier League, they have the right of appeal.
'There is a right procedure of doing things that is clearly laid down.’
Di Canio has already spoken of his frustration at the PFA becoming involved.
Before the game at Tottenham, he insisted the players had been punished under rules laid down in their contracts.
He said: 'Why do they need to speak? They get fined.
'They are under a private club. The PFA don’t pay them, it’s a private club that pays them.
'They have to now try and understand because for our player we already received a phone call. It was a clear misconduct.’
