Fascist or no fascist, Di Canio welcomed
MANCHESTER United manager Alex Ferguson has admitted that he is a fan of his Sunderland counterpart, Paolo di Canio, despite the furore over the Italian’s political views.
Di Canio’s appointment at Sunderland created a storm of controversy as the 44-year-old had previously described himself as a fascist.
In response, he released a statement earlier this week in which he said he was “not a racist” and “does not support the ideology of fascism”.
Di Canio has only previously worked as a manager at Swindon Town, whom he led to promotion from England’s third tier, but Ferguson says he has been impressed by the former West Ham United striker’s approach.
“I must confess to a liking for the fellow and his approach to the game,” Ferguson told the matchday programme, United Review.
“As I wrote the other week, he wears his heart on his sleeve and I like his football philosophy, wanting to play the ball on the ground rather than in the air.
“I have this picture in my mind of him being in the technical area pointing to the sky and then the ground in an effort to get his players to keep the ball down.”
Di Canio was due to take charge of Sunderland for the first time yesterday when his side visited Chelsea.
His former West Ham teammate Shaka Hislop says he has no doubt the Italian is not a bigot.
“Without any reservation, I don’t believe Paolo di Canio is a racist,” Hislop told BBC Radio 5 Live. “I say that because he’s been a friend to me, not just offering me professional respect as a teammate, but I also look at how he interacted with my wife and kids when they came around.
“I’ve never heard him speak any kind of political views or ever heard any hint of his thinking or ideology, not as a player.”
Di Canio was photographed giving a Roman salute to Lazio’s fans in his time there. Sapa-AFP