NOT all footballers are dreadful role models.

David Beckham, who played what is almost certain to be his final game as a professional on Sunday, has proved a fantastic ambassador for Great Britain.

Paul Scholes, who also retired this weekend, has enjoyed an unblemished 19-year career with England and Manchester United.

Yet the sport also has its less seemly side, with young men earning millions, yet giving precious little back to their supporters and local communities in return.

Sadly, Paolo Di Canio has encountered such a mindset since taking over as Sunderland manager two months ago.

Last week, two of his players visited a casino in the early hours, and one of them, defender Phil Bardsley, was pictured lying flat on the floor covered in £50 notes.

It was a grossly offensive image that paid scant regard to the supporters who have scrimped and saved to buy tickets to watch Sunderland suffer a succession of defeats this season.

Di Canio has refused to brush the issue under the carpet, accusing some of his players of being “ignorant and arrogant” in the wake of Sunday’s defeat at Tottenham.

We welcome his attempt to challenge the culture of excess that seems to have been allowed to develop at Sunderland in the past few years.

Sport is a massive part of everyday life in the North-East, and we look to our sportsmen and women to inspire and entertain us.

If they are willing to take the lucrative rewards that are on offer, they also have to be accept the responsibilities that go hand-in-hand.