Manager Di Canio hits back in ‘fascist’ furore

Di Canio, who was reported to have said he was a fascist and appeared to give an open-handed salute while playing for Italian side Lazio in 2005, denied he was a racist and said his comments were taken out of context.

In a statement issued jointly by the 44-year-old and his new club, the former West Ham striker said: “I expressed an opinion in an interview many years ago. Some pieces were taken for media convenience. They took my expression in a very, very negative way - but it was a long conversation and a long interview.

“It was not fair. I know it is a part of my job to do interviews because I am well-known, but sometimes it suits their purpose to put big headlines and a big story.

“What I can say is that if someone is hurt, I am sorry. But this didn’t come from me, it came from a big story that people put out in a different way to what it was.

“I don’t have a problem with anyone. I haven’t had a problem in the past and I don’t know why I have to keep repeating my story, to be defending myself on something that doesn’t belong to me every time I change clubs. Talk about racism? That is absolutely stupid, stupid and ridiculous.”

His comments come after former Foreign Secretary Mr Miliband quit his role as vice-chairman and non-executive director of the Black Cats following Di Canio’s appointment on Sunday night, citing the Italian’s “past political statements” as the reason.

Di Canio was responding to media reports that he told Italian news agency Ansa in 2005 “I am a fascist, not a racist”, and made what some interpreted as a far right salute at a game in the same year

Mr Miliband, who is also stepping down as an MP, said in a statement on his website: “I wish Sunderland AFC all success in the future. It is a great institution that does a huge amount for the North East and I wish the team very well over the next vital seven games.

“However, in the light of the new manager’s past political statements, I think it right to step down.”

The appointment also prompted anti-fascist campaigners to call for Di Canio to clarify his views and Sunderland city leaders to warn him politics had no place in football.

Di Canio continued: “Something can happen many years ago but what counts is the facts. My life speaks for me. Of course it hurts me because people try to take your dignity and that is not fair.”