Paolo Di Canio to fine overweight Sunderland players
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Paolo Di Canio has warned his Sunderland players to return from their summer breaks in excellent condition, or risk being fined.
The Italian docked several players' wages last term for various breaches of discipline and even got himself in a row with the PFA over his hardline approach.
But the Black Cats boss will not change his methods and has fired a word of caution to his squad ahead of their return to work next month.
"Obviously the players have a programme to follow so that they are ready when pre-season begins," Di Canio told the Sunderland Echo.
"When we start, we will start not that heavy, but there will still be a great deal to do and they have to be ready.
"It's normal in the Premier League, that players get punishment for breaking rules set down by the club.
"Everyone who comes back with more than 2kg over what their weight should be, we're going to fine them. We test them before they go so everyone knows how they finished the season.
"This is important because when they come back they're going to work three times a day, so it would be crazy to have put too much weight on in a short space of time.
"How can it be possible to come back with 7kg extra? They have one month off and then one month to work at a high intensity level and if they do not do that right, then in September, they'll still be heavy. You can't work if you've put 7kg on your shoulders.
"I can imagine 2kg, because you can run, swim and play tennis as well as having a bit of food or drink - so you can keep a handle on the situation.
"You can accept 2kg because after a few days back sweating in five-a-sides that will soon go. But 5 or 6kg? That is not acceptable. We have to be serious about what we want to do."
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| Paolo Di Canio will not tolerate Sunderland players returning from the summer break overweight Photo: Getty Images |
The Italian docked several players' wages last term for various breaches of discipline and even got himself in a row with the PFA over his hardline approach.
But the Black Cats boss will not change his methods and has fired a word of caution to his squad ahead of their return to work next month.
"Obviously the players have a programme to follow so that they are ready when pre-season begins," Di Canio told the Sunderland Echo.
"When we start, we will start not that heavy, but there will still be a great deal to do and they have to be ready.
"It's normal in the Premier League, that players get punishment for breaking rules set down by the club.
"Everyone who comes back with more than 2kg over what their weight should be, we're going to fine them. We test them before they go so everyone knows how they finished the season.
"This is important because when they come back they're going to work three times a day, so it would be crazy to have put too much weight on in a short space of time.
"How can it be possible to come back with 7kg extra? They have one month off and then one month to work at a high intensity level and if they do not do that right, then in September, they'll still be heavy. You can't work if you've put 7kg on your shoulders.
"I can imagine 2kg, because you can run, swim and play tennis as well as having a bit of food or drink - so you can keep a handle on the situation.
"You can accept 2kg because after a few days back sweating in five-a-sides that will soon go. But 5 or 6kg? That is not acceptable. We have to be serious about what we want to do."
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