Di Canio defiant amid fascist claims

New Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio has defended himself amid the controversy over his appointment — but may have to do more to convince anti-racism campaigners of his suitability.

The Italian’s appointment to succeed Martin O’Neill prompted former British foreign secretary David Miliband to stand down as Sunderland’s vice-chairman and non-executive director, citing “the new manager’s past political statements”. Miliband’s comments related to Di Canio’s declaration to Italian news agency ANSA in 2005 that “I am a fascist, not a racist”.

But in a statement released yesterday by the club, Di Canio said: “I don’t have a problem with anyone. 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.”