Past returns to haunt Sunderlands Di Canio

Italian Paolo Di Canio,whose appointment as Sunderland manager sparked the resignation of a former Government minister from the club's board

Italian Paolo Di Canio,whose appointment as Sunderland manager sparked the resignation of a former Government minister from the club8217;s board,said on Monday he was hurt by unfair accusations against him. Despite previously working as the manager of League One third tier club Swindon Town and playing in both England and Scotland during a long playing career,news of his appointment rekindled interest in the remarks he made to a news agency in 2005 when he said: 8220;I am a fascist,not a racist.8221;

The former Labour Government foreign secretary David Miliband immediately resigned as Sunderland8217;s vice-chairman and non-executive director after Di Canios appointment. Miliband cited the Italian8217;s 8220;past political statements8221; as his reason for leaving the board. Di Canio,44,was named as manager of the struggling Premier League club after the surprise dismissal of Martin O8217;Neill on Saturday with Sunderland hovering just above the relegation zone without a win in their last eight matches.

On Monday Di Canio issued a statement refuting the allegations made against him. What I can say is that if someone is hurt,I am sorry. But this didn8217;t come from me,it came from a big story that people put out in a different way to what it was, he said. Talk about racism? That is absolutely stupid,stupid and ridiculous. The people who know me can change that idea quickly. When I was in England my best friends were Trevor Sinclair and Chris Powell,the Charlton manager 8211; they can tell you everything about my character, he said.

Sunderland8217;s CEO Margaret Byrne said the club was disappointed by some of the reaction to Di Canio8217;s appointment and that some people were trying to turn it into a 8220;political circus8221;. 8220;To accuse him now,as some have done,of being a racist or having fascist sympathies,is insulting not only to him but to the integrity of this football club.

Di Canio enjoyed a colourful playing career with clubs including Juventus,AC Milan,Lazio,West Ham United and Celtic,but has never managed in the top flight and joins Sunderland six weeks after quitting Swindon.