Can you accidentally do a Nazi salute?

[Jan Klimkowski]

Di Canio refuses to say whether he's a fascist, and says he'll ban reporters who ask political questions.

Fascist is as fascist do.

Fuck this scumbag.

Paolo Di Canio refuses to answer fascism questions

BBC Sport

New Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio refused to answer questions about whether he holds fascist beliefs in his first news conference as boss.

The Italian described the controversy surrounding his appointment as "ridiculous and pathetic" after taking over from Martin O'Neill.

Ex-Foreign Secretary David Miliband resigned from the board because of Di Canio's "past political statements".

"I don't have to answer this question any more," said Di Canio.
Di Canio's managerial record

Games: 95
Wins: 54
Draws: 18
Losses: 23
Win %: 57

He said the club had already issued "a very good statement" containing "very, very clear words" from himself.

Di Canio added: "I don't want to talk about politics. I'm not in the Houses of Parliament, I'm not a political person, I will only talk about football."

However the campaign group Kick It Out, which wants to eradicate racism from football, said it believed the club and Di Canio could go further.

It said in a statement: "It is not part of Kick It Out's remit to sanction the selection of staff of football clubs. However, football clubs have a responsibility to ensure that their employees demonstrate a commitment to anti-discrimination and equality of opportunity.

"It may be in the interest of both the club and Mr Di Canio to acknowledge a full and frank commitment to these policies."

The Durham Miners' Association, a powerful workers' organisation in the north-east, is unhappy with Di Canio's appointment and has called for Sunderland to return the symbolic Wearmouth Miners' Banner, which is on permanent display in the Stadium of Light.

"I, like many thousands of miners, have supported Sunderland from infancy and are passionate about football," said DMA general secretary Dave Hopper. "But there are principles which are much more important."

Di Canio, 44, who quit Swindon - his only previous managerial post - on 18 February, has talked in the past of his fascist views.

He is reported to have said in an interview with Italian news agency Ansa in 2005 that his straight arm salute when playing for Lazio was aimed at "my people", who he defines as members of Benito Mussolini's fascist movement and was not intended to incite racial hatred.

In his autobiography, he admitted being "fascinated by Mussolini", who was Italy's leader during the Second World War.

Sunderland insist claims Di Canio has racist or fascist sympathies are insulting to both the "integrity of the club" and their new manager.

During Tuesday's news conference, BBC Sport's Dan Roan twice asked the Italian to clarify his political views.

But Di Canio said: "I only want to talk about football, otherwise we will give time to the other reporters to ask me something about this club, my new club."