Paolo Di Canio denies supporting fascism

LONDON (AFP) –

Paolo Di Canio gestures towards Lazio fans after a 2005 match against Roma at Rome’s Olympic Stadium. The new Sunderland manager has addressed controversy over his political beliefs by declaring that he is not a racist and “does not support the ideology of fascism”.

New Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio has addressed controversy over his political beliefs by declaring that he is not a racist and “does not support the ideology of fascism”.

The appointment of the 44-year-old was fiercely criticised in some quarters, as he told an Italian news agency in 2005 that he was “a fascist, but not a racist” and was pictured giving a fascist salute to fans during his time with Italian club Lazio.

Sunderland’s decision to employ him as the successor to Martin O’Neill prompted the immediate resignation of the club’s vice-chairman, former foreign secretary David Miliband, while a local trade union described the move as “a betrayal and a disgrace”.

Anti-racism group Kick it Out also called on him and his new employers to “demonstrate a commitment to anti-discrimination and equality of opportunity”.

Di Canio declined invitations to elaborate on his political views during his introductory news conference on Tuesday, but faced with mounting criticism, he issued a statement via the Sunderland website on Wednesday.

Paolo Di Canio poses for photographers with a team jersey at the Academy of Light in Sunderland on Tuesday. Sunderland’s decision to select him as the successor to Martin O’Neill prompted the immediate resignation of the club’s vice-chairman, former foreign secretary David Miliband, while a local trade union described the move as “a betrayal and a disgrace”.

“I have clearly stated that I do not wish to speak about matters other than football, however, I have been deeply hurt by the attacks on the football club,” he said.

“This is a historic, proud and ethical club and to read and hear some of the vicious and personal accusations is painful. I am an honest man, my values and principles come from my family and my upbringing.

“I feel that I should not have to continually justify myself to people who do not understand this, however I will say one thing only – I am not the man that some people like to portray.

“I am not political, I do not affiliate myself to any organisation, I am not a racist and I do not support the ideology of fascism. I respect everyone.

“I am a football man and this and my family are my focus. Now I will speak only of football.”

A local cleric, Dean of Durham Michael Sadgrove, had waded into the row on Wednesday by publishing an open letter in which he said he found Di Canio’s “self-confessed fascism deeply troubling”.

“I believe that unless you clearly renounce fascism in all its manifestations, you will be associated with these toxic far-right tendencies we have seen too much of in this region,” Sadgrove wrote.

Sunderland will hope Di Canio’s statement draws a line under the matter and allows him to focus on his mission to save the club from relegation.

The club have gone eight games without a win in the Premier League and sit a point above the relegation zone with seven matches of the season remaining.