Sunderland manager David Moyes has expressed his disappointment at Patrick van Aanholt after it was revealed the defender smoked a shisha pipe last month.
Van Aanholt was withdrawn just before Sunderland were due to face Tottenham last weekend with a heart concern and pictures have now emerged showing the defender smoking a shisha pipe last month.
The Black Cats are already in a relegation fight and the Sunderland boss has reminded the defender of his responsibilities as a role model in football.
“I don’t expect a player to do that, I don’t expect a player playing for me doing that. I have had a word with him. I am not impressed,” The Daily Mail quote Moyes as saying in his Friday press conference.
“I also have to say, it was a picture from six weeks ago, it was in his own time, not during the season, but let me make clear I don’t condone it at all.
“It is a bad thing for us to show our younger children, and for our supporters to see players [doing that]. I don’t think it is a good thing at all.
“They are role models to so many kids, they are watched all over the world. Things are done with Twitter and all the other things now, you have to be careful and aware of how you behave.”
Since the start of last season only Jeremain Defoe (18) has played a direct hand in more league goals than Van Aanholt (8) for Sunderland.
For more stats on Patrick van Aanholt, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
