agreed

but we dont know if he really is a fascist or just an ignorant fool pandering to Lazio's "ultras"

Gunnerthru, I don't know how old you are, but I imagine that the shadow of the 30's and 40's is still visible in places. It must be hard.

They do tend to go quite to the right in Italy. Abbiati describes himself as a fascist too.

I have followed a fair bit of lower league football, and it has simply served to reinforce my belief from his playing career that Di Canio is an idiot, irrespective of his political views. He's an egotistical, self-centred prat whose regime at Swindon was based on unsustainable spending, tapping up players and plenty more controversy besides.

There were also allegations that he racially abused Jonathan Tehoué (scored against us in the Cup for Orient!) and Leon Clarke, and plenty of unsavoury things have been said by those who were at the club.

As for his political views being irrelevant to football - don't be naive.

Why isn't all of that stuff banned in Italy like it is in Germany?

I don't really care tbh. It's a game of football.

Not entirely sure. They have real problems with racist right wing groups. But then again, so do we with the EDL. It's hard to tell just how much goes on without living there yourself.

I've always got the impression that Italians are naturally right leaning in the same way that Scandinavians are left leaning.

For the record, I think it's poor that the word "Nazzi" is a banned word. It's a political term. I'll just have to call them NSDAPs.

I don't really care tbh. It's a game of football.

So if he was goose steping into the dug out, saluting you wouldn't care?

Fascism is based more on personal national pride and extreme nationalism rather than racists not liking others because they are a different colour.

Indeed 8bit. But national pride is just as dangerous. Racists generally mutter under their breath, nationalists organise mobs.

So if he was goose steping into the dug out, saluting you wouldn't care?

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That's a bit different from someone holding views. If any manager or player started doing some extremist side salute or whatever it would matter. But just because they hold a view doesn't mean we should care.

I know fack all about politics, what exactly is wrong with his views? Is he racist?

This is going to sound proper stupid but what is fascism? Hear it all the time, I can't be bothered to look it up cos I hate politics and all that bollox.

I know fack all about politics, what exactly is wrong with his views? Is he racist?

Basically he's a cross of John Terry, Luis Suarez and Mussolini

I'm not defending it, there are decent people and idiots in every country so I'm not a fan of nationalism and agree it's dangerous. But Di Canio's one of many people who think like that, maybe not Fascist but far right with similar views. I'm sure there's managers who vote BNP or UKIP, it's football not politic at the end of the day.

Fascism is an extreme far right doctrine. It relies on ultra- nationalistic views and relies on an all powerful, authoritarian state. Hitler's Germany and Mussolini's Italy are prime examples. Argentina was fascist under their Junta during the 80's.

Di Canio doesn't strike me as a good manager. He seems like one of these managers who just asks his players to throw themselves about and give it their all without actually playing football. Like Pulis, O'Neill etc. He won't last imo.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BGwcGEqCYAAPnOn.jpg

What Di Canio thinks about immigrants, especially Muslims. From his autobiography.

People making such a big deal of Di Canio's political beliefs, but at least in this country we don't have whole clubs being dictated by political leanings, be they far right (Lazio) or far left (Livorno, Rayo Vallecano). And Giroulski, there's nothing wrong with patriotism, it's only when it spills over into ethnic nationalism that it becomes racist.

He is correct A-Rab. Muslims should embrace their new country.

At least Di Canio is honest about his fascist views - unlike his critics

How come nobody was objecting to DiCanio when he was manager at Swindon Town for his alleged fascist views? Or is it just Labour opportunism

His comments seem pretty correct tbh

The comments in that part of his autobiography are bang on, he's not being racist at all and is clearly welcoming any race to Italy.

Oh there's everything wrong with patriotism. National pride is really quite stupid. There's being fond of home, and then there's national pride. Isn't pride even meant to be one of the seven deadly sins?

U17565 leave it out. It's become big because he's joined a premier league club, you don't honestly believe this is some ploy by labour to go against the tories when it has nowt do with them.

Isn't pride even meant to be one of the seven deadly sins?

Funny you should ask that, the vicar on Eastenders told Dot today that it is a sin