Di Canio sorry 'if someone is hurt' by fascism quotes

Sunderland’s new manager Paolo Di Canio today apologised to anyone who has been offended by his comments after David Miliband quit his role at the football club due to the Italian’s “past political statements”.

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