Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Nye Bevan

(25,406 posts)
Mon Apr 1, 2013, 07:29 PM Apr 2013

Sunderland appoint "self-proclaimed fascist" Di Canio as manager (WTF?)

(CNN) -- It was announced a few hours before April Fool's Day, but the appointment of one of the most controversial characters in European football is no laughing matter for one English Premier League soccer club.

Sunderland's American owner Ellis Short hopes Paolo Di Canio can keep the struggling team in the top flight, but his vice-chairman -- former British MP David Miliband -- has already resigned his role in protest.

"In the light of the new manager's past political statements, I think it right to step down," the ex-foreign secretary said on his website following Sunday's news that Di Canio will replace the sacked Martin O'Neill on a two-and-a-half-year contract.

.......

"I am a fascist, not a racist," Di Canio infamously told Italian news agency ANSA after making a straight-arm salute to the fans of his hometown club Lazio during a match against Rome rival Lazio in 2005.


http://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/31/sport/football/di-canio-miliband-sunderland-football/?hpt=hp_c3

Di Canio is a self-proclaimed Fascist. In 2005, he characterised his political views by declaring that he was "a fascist, not a racist".

His use of the Roman salute toward Lazio supporters, a gesture adopted by Italian fascists in the 20th century, has created controversy. Documented uses of the salute include in matches against arch-rivals A.S. Roma and A.S. Livorno Calcio, a club inclined to left-wing politics.[29] Di Canio received a one-match ban after the second event and was fined €7,000.[30] He was later quoted as saying: "I will always salute as I did because it gives me a sense of belonging to my people ... I saluted my people with what for me is a sign of belonging to a group that holds true values, values of civility against the standardisation that this society imposes upon us."[31] His salute has been featured on unofficial merchandise sold outside Stadio Olimpico after the ban.[29]

He has also expressed admiration for the fascist leader Benito Mussolini. In his autobiography, he praised Mussolini as "basically a very principled, ethical individual" who was "deeply misunderstood".


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Di_Canio

Amazing. I assume that Sunderland does not have a very large number of Jewish supporters.
9 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

DollarBillHines

(1,922 posts)
1. I do not know much about this stuff, but does professing to be a fascist...
Mon Apr 1, 2013, 07:59 PM
Apr 2013

automatically brand him anti-Semetic?

I don't see it.

Nye Bevan

(25,406 posts)
2. Praising Mussolini is pretty much the same as praising Hitler.
Mon Apr 1, 2013, 08:19 PM
Apr 2013

Mussolini himself was strongly anti-Semitic. And di Canio is a self-proclaimed admirer of Mussolini.

LeftishBrit

(41,192 posts)
3. Ugh
Tue Apr 2, 2013, 04:23 AM
Apr 2013

There is of course a certain overlap between the Far Right and football hooliganism, but not, I'd have thought, between the Far Right and football management - despite Ron Atkinson's 'remarks' a few years ago!

And at least from what I know, Sunderland supporters were never among those particularly associated with racism.

T_i_B

(14,734 posts)
4. I'll let DUers from the North East fill everyone in on the Mackems
Tue Apr 2, 2013, 04:36 AM
Apr 2013

Sunderland are a club with a big support, friendly bunch too in my experience.

As to Di Canio? Best thing he did for Sheffield Wednesday was get a large suspension for pushing a referee over then buggering off to West Ham. Always preferred Benito Carbone to be honest.

 

Ghost Dog

(16,881 posts)
5. I suppose a 'modern' fascism could be said to be as legitimate as any other political creed,
Tue Apr 2, 2013, 08:03 AM
Apr 2013

under the rule of law which in UK excludes or should exclude for example the organisation of gangs of thugs, bribery and other forms of corruption and intimidation, discrimination, etc., and within current rules of so-called 'democracy'?

UK Equality Law:

It is against the law to discriminate against anyone because of:

- age
- being or becoming a transsexual person
- being married or in a civil partnership
- being pregnant or having a child
- disability
- race including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin
- religion, belief or lack of religion/belief
- sex
- sexual orientation

These are called ‘protected characteristics’.

You’re protected from discrimination in these situations:

- at work
- in education
- as a consumer
- when using public services
- when buying or renting property
- as a member or guest of a private club or association

You are legally protected from discrimination by the Equality Act 2010.

You’re also protected from discrimination if:

- you’re associated with someone who has a protected characteristic, eg a family member or friend
- you’ve complained about discrimination or supported someone else’s claim

/... https://www.gov.uk/discrimination-your-rights/types-of-discrimination


muriel_volestrangler

(101,154 posts)
6. I'm not sure where the equality laws come into this
Tue Apr 2, 2013, 11:25 AM
Apr 2013

Di Canio claims not to be racist, and I don't think anyone is saying they expect him to discriminate against players. People are just saying they don't like his politics (politics do not count as a protected 'belief'). They have a right to ask that he's not employed because of hateful political views.

Nye Bevan

(25,406 posts)
7. What blows me away is that it would be absolutely unthinkable for the New York Yankees, for example,
Tue Apr 2, 2013, 03:07 PM
Apr 2013

to hire as manager a self-proclaimed fascist and admirer of Mussolini. But it seems like (with the exception of David Miliband) this is not seen as that big a deal.

muriel_volestrangler

(101,154 posts)
8. Well, it is sticking in the news
Tue Apr 2, 2013, 03:27 PM
Apr 2013

It was on the evening Radio 4 news today, for instance - a farce of a press conference, where he basically said he'd never talk about it. But I don't think people will be fobbed off that easily.

On edit:

The Durham Miners' Association, a powerful workers' organisation in the north-east, is unhappy with Di Canio's appointment and has called for Sunderland to return the symbolic Wearmouth Miners' Banner, which is on permanent display in the Stadium of Light.

"I, like many thousands of miners, have supported Sunderland from infancy and are passionate about football," said DMA general secretary Dave Hopper. "But there are principles which are much more important."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21999563


In 2011, when Di Canio was appointed as Swindon Town's manager, the GMB union withdrew its sponsorship of the club, citing his political views.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21994889

fedsron2us

(2,863 posts)
9. You don't have to be Jewish to despise fascism
Tue Apr 2, 2013, 08:52 PM
Apr 2013

I would hazard a guess that there are a good few families in Sunderland who lost members in World War 2 fighting the ideology that Mussolini promoted. It was also one of the most heavily bombed English cities in that conflict suffering many civilian casualties. Hiring Di Canio is just an insult to their sacrifice.

What next Oswald Moseley as England manager.

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»United Kingdom»Sunderland appoint "self-...