Di Canio plays down 'Roman' salute

Lazio’s Paolo Di Canio claims his controversial salute at last month’s city derby at the Stadio Olimpico was misinterpreted as being fascist.

The veteran striker, who returned to Lazio for a second spell in the summer after leaving Charlton, caused an uproar when he extended his arm to the crowd, an image that was photographed and shown in newspapers around the world.

The 36-year-old Di Canio was quiet in the days that followed but the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) have found him guilty of violating the decent code of a sportsman and plan to punish him.

The player went on the defensive today in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, saying: “I have never hidden my political beliefs.

“However, that gesture did not mean that I was stirring up fascism, but considering that its (the gesture) origins have to do with the Roman empire.”

Wartime Italian dictator Benito Mussolini appropriated many symbols of the ancient Roman empire when in power and the salute that is now seen as symbolic of fascism has its origins in the time of Julius Caesar.

“I find other things worse, such as certain radio programmes broadcast in Rome that I listened to after the derby,” said Di Canio.

“I believe these things are much more dangerous. Politics are part of our society, and I think it’s almost impossible to keep this out of stadia.

“The important thing is that divergence (of beliefs) doesn’t lead to a conflict.”

Di Canio has survived a series of unruly incidents on the pitch which nearly derailed his career, the most famous coming in England when he played for Sheffield Wednesday.

The Italian flew into a rage and pushed over referee Paul Alcock, which earned him a long ban.

He eventually returned to the game at West Ham where repaid the faith of manager Harry Redknapp with a string of performances that led to Manchester United chasing his signature.

Di Canio, asked if he regretted that he had never played for the Old Trafford club, recalled: “It was actually me who turned it down.

“(Sir Alex) Ferguson wanted me, but I had to be loyal to West Ham. They had taken me, when in England they had all wanted me out after I had pushed the referee and he fell. “I couldn’t commit treason to West Ham.”

However, the former Juventus, AC Milan and Celtic star has always held Ferguson in high regard.

Di Canio said: “Ferguson is the best. In Italy, it’s (Fabio) Capello and (Marcello) Lippi. They are the ones who know a lot about football and they are able to take command.”