Paolo Di Canio poses after a press conference to unveil him as the new manager of English Premier League club Sunderland.
New manager —
Paolo Di Canio poses after a press conference to unveil him as the new manager of English Premier League club Sunderland.
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He initially refused to answer questions about his political beliefs, but a day later made a statement insisting he did not support fascist ideology.
Fascist or not? —
He initially refused to answer questions about his political beliefs, but a day later made a statement insisting he did not support fascist ideology.
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A former member of Lazio's hardcore right-wing fan group, Di Canio was punished by football authorities for this "Roman salute" to the crowd when he played for the Italian club in 2005.
Past history —
A former member of Lazio's hardcore right-wing fan group, Di Canio was punished by football authorities for this "Roman salute" to the crowd when he played for the Italian club in 2005.
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Lazio's "Irriducibili" ultras have a history of racially abusing opposing players, and the club has been charged four times for such incidents in the 2012-13 season.
Problem fans —
Lazio's "Irriducibili" ultras have a history of racially abusing opposing players, and the club has been charged four times for such incidents in the 2012-13 season.
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Di Canio's only other managerial job was at Swindon, where he took the English club from the fourth division of English football to the third before quitting over a lack of funding to sign players.
Short tenure —
Di Canio's only other managerial job was at Swindon, where he took the English club from the fourth division of English football to the third before quitting over a lack of funding to sign players.
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Di Canio was appointed by Sunderland a day after the club's collaboration with the Nelson Mandela foundation was officially launched at the home match against Manchester United. Vice-chairman David Miliband promptly quit, with the former MP -- who was a key figure in the club's involvement with the "Invest in Africa" initiative -- citing Di Canio's past statements about his political beliefs.
African ties —
Di Canio was appointed by Sunderland a day after the club's collaboration with the Nelson Mandela foundation was officially launched at the home match against Manchester United. Vice-chairman David Miliband promptly quit, with the former MP -- who was a key figure in the club's involvement with the "Invest in Africa" initiative -- citing Di Canio's past statements about his political beliefs.
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