Thursday 4 April 2013

Di Canio, Sunderland, Facism & West Ham's Lucky Escape!

Well, I go away to the mountains for a week and it all happens. I posted last week that I couldn't see a club managed by O'Neill being relegated, and the Black Cats promptly sack him after a defeat at home to Man Utd, courtesy of a cruel deflection. Mad or what?

But that as just the beginning! The appointment of Il Duce Di Canio to replace him was nothing short of surreal! This is Sunderland! This is Old Labour heartland. This is a club with a Milliband on the Board - or a club that used to have a Milliband on the Board! And they appoint Di Canio who might have confused Black Cats with Black Shirts when he jumped at the job!

And look how long it has taken Di Canio to deny that he is a fascist! The no comment approach was tried. The "I am not in the House of Parliament" approach failed. And only when he was backed into a lamp post did the straight arm saluting, self declared admirer of Mussolini offer a categorical declaration of his political allegiance. But then we all know how fascists remain true to their word  don't we? I'm surprised Di Canio didn't hand a piece of paper to the British Prime Minister declaring he is not a fascist and promising peace in our time into the bargain!

Most laughable of all was Di Canio's claim that some of his best mates at West Ham were black! As if that isn't the familiar protest of all racists! Not that anybody has accused Di Canio of being a racist anyway. Fascists do not have to be racist and, on a technical point, it is Jews rather than black skinned people who are generally the object of their hatred. Perhaps Di Canio will cite his Jewish friends as his next line of defence.

Thank God we never appointed him. The focus since his appointment has been on his politics and if Di Canio drops a black player now, imagine the mutterings in the dressing room. Rival fans could well have a field day and a terrace full of black shirts is the very least Di Canio and the Sunderland Board deserve.

Yes we adored Di Canio the player but Di Canio the man has very severe limitations. His reign at Sunderland has started in predictable fashion and I, for one, hope it ends in tears. With English fans under the microscope for alleged racism during the San Marino game, the appointment of Di Canio to manage an English Premier League club is unfortunate in the extreme. He can say what he likes, but that salute to the Lazio fans and his infamous tattoo are all the evidence needed to show that this man should not be managing a club in the top division of English football.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

you'd get more comments but you've cocked your page up again and this post isn't on our home psge..... stani!!!!!

Anonymous said...

You are judging him from a bunch of 'quotes' Put in papers by lazy Journalists. He will do a good job at sunderland and you are one of these people who are letting politics cloud your judgement. Football and Politics do not mix especially in england, his so called fascist salute was explained by him as a roman salute but it wasnt published by papers because they dont like di canio. I hope he managed west ham one day as it will be better then the shit we are currently served up by BFS

Duncan said...

I do not agree with your view on Di Canio. Right of political association is exactly that. He was at Swindon and noone raised a concern. Italian politics is completely different to UK politics. Lazio is a right wing club and Roma is left wing(somewhat like the Celtic and Rangers divide). He is at Sunderland for football and not political campagining!

Anonymous said...

Why not pipe up over Swindon?

Anonymous said...

Wow. Where to begin...

Fascism has many many forms. In fact, original Roman Government fascism wasn't even nearly as Extremist as it is considered in modern society. It originated from Greeks and Romans which is why there is a heritage in Italy.

Paulo Di Canio does not deserve this kind of abuse. He has never said or done anything racist. That sign he threw up was inherently wrong but I very much doubt he was thinking too deeply about his future at that moment. I understand why it's offensive but just look at the facts. The bloke has never indicated far right behaviour. John Terry is more of a racist if you look at it logically.

Fascism wasn't always a political monster it is today. If that's what he finds he supports historically from his nation's point of view, live and let live. He is hurting nobody. We should be setting that example of respecting opposing view until they become more than that, just a view.

Quite rightly, he's not in Parliament. He's a football manager. He just loves the game, he breathes it. So how about a bit if respect. Was all this newsworthy when he was with us? Or Wednesday? Or Celtic? Or managing Swindon (where he did a fantastic job).

I suppose we'll have to close down our Di Canio hospitality lounge at West Ham. Best give back refunds on all the Di Canio wares we STILL sell at our club shop. I'm really proud of Di Canio and his affiliation to our club. He is a living LEGEND.

Sullivan jumped on the media band wagon yesterday and embarrassed our club yet again because he can't keep his gob shut. Whether it's leaking everything to his son to Tweet or announcing signing news before it's happened, he's always at it. Now he's gone and made himself look a right twat again just because...well that's it isn't it, why? He U-turned on Di Canio for absolutely no reason.

Did you see the media hounding the poor bloke in that press conference? It was disgusting. And all because he got a job managing Sunderland. Anyone would think he's a war criminal who stumbled into the wrong news room. So what do you go and do?Jump straight in at first sight and burn your books too. Don't be a nob. Show a bit of respect for a club hero.

Our Chairmen made money for the sex trade. You know, where women actually get abused from the moment they walk in the door. Not much worse than that. We've all got Mothers, Sisters, Daughters. Oh but wait Di Canio threw out a fascist sign once. Best hate him more.

There's a lot wrong with this situation. Let the bloke to his job. As long as it's not leading a Nation into hatred fuelled war, there's nothing to get on at him about. Very disappointed with this article.

Basildom said...

Is he a fascist or was he just playing to the fans?
I seem to remember Gascoyne celebrating a goal he scored at the old firm for rangers by "playing the pipes" which was playing to the crowd but outraged the celtic fans. I honestly don't think Di Canio understood the implications or real meaning when he showed one of several moments of madness throughout his career. That said, naivity back then is not going to make this go away as he is tarred by his own actions. Ultimately if he keeps sunderland up, most Mackems will let it slide until next they want him gone.

Anonymous said...

Paolo Di Canio West Ham Legend a sportsman first as for political views why does it bother us he did it in Italy not celebrating that stunning volley against Wimbledon at the Trevor Brooking stand end I hope one day he manages West Ham as he's more passionate about the club than BFS & G & S the latter only see £ £ £ in front of there eyes another thing if the Icelandic banks didn't go bust we would still have Eggy also there money paid for Twat Parker as some fans call a legend ha ha ha he couldnnt lace Di Canio's boots I hope he keeps the mackems up will be a step nearer to coming home

Anonymous said...

It's NOT something made up by the press. In his autobiography he talks about his admiration for Mussolini and reminisces fondly about his days supporting Lazio all over Italy amongst the fascists that follow them.

Anonymous said...

Kevin in Manchester writes
Read Gab Marcotti article in the Times the day before yesterday. Intelligent perspective on the man.

fred149 said...

HF read this link http://optimumshaboogie.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/the-manufacture-of-outrage.html Show Di Canio is NOT fascist and shows papers have been a bunch lazy twats for years.

Anonymous said...

Right.... And? Where's the problem? His views so what? Entitled to think what he likes. Has he ever forced it on to you? You picked up HIS book. He never forced you to read his autobiography. He admires Mussolini as a great leader. It's Italian politics. Nobody said the press made that up. Why is it important now all of a sudden? Answer is it's really not. Not to anyone. Gutter Press

Anonymous said...

Too bloody right. Especially love the Parker bit! COYI

Anonymous said...

Hmmm.....well anyway.

Anonymous said...

Have a pair of bollocks about ya if you're going to disagree then do it properly. Stop being a dry lunch.

Deane said...

If the attention seeking whore that is Sullivan doesn't want DiCanio then he can leave and make way for the legend that is Paolo

bum ed said...

as normal you have your facts completely wrong, it was the nazi's that hated jews, facism as you rightly stated has nothing to do with racism, and the right arm salute has nothing to do with either, it is a roman salute used 2000 years before hitler got hold of it