Forgive me if you think this statement to be controversial, but I always thought successful candidates were employed into a position based on their ability to do the job and not on their political beliefs. Therefore, WHY the recent furore over the appointment of former West Ham player Paolo Di Canio when taking over Sunderland?
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Now, the backdrop, as if we need reminding, is, at its most basic, a farce. David Miliband, brother of labour leader Ed Miliband, resigned from his post as Sunderland vice-chairman in protest at the appointment of Paolo. Mr. Miliband’s stance to some was admirable. Unhappy with the political leanings of the new man at the helm, he stuck with his principles and walked out, leaving the country to work for a charity in New York and earning a figure in the region of £300,000 a year. With news of Mr. Miliband’s decision making headlines, it wasn’t long before the media bandwagon started gathering pace.
Di Canio of course is reportedly a fascist; something that in the eyes of a smattering of journalists also makes him a racist. Popularised by Benito Mussolini, fascism is undeniably a blot on history’s timeline. BUT, for all that makes fascism negative, being a fascist doesn’t make you either anti-Semitic or racist. These traits, for use of a better word, are more commonly associated with National Socialism. Whilst Mussolini’s fascism did become uneasy bedfellows with Hitler’s National Socialism, it was more to share the axis front, not completely share ideals. Whilst fascism isn’t something to take lightly, through his commitment and passion of every side he’s represented, it’s easy to draw a parallel with Paolo’s personality and the fascist ideals of building community through the guidance of a strong leader.
These same media moguls have also stated that football and politics do not and should not mix. Fine, if that’s the case, don’t bring it up. Paolo, like a lot of people has a chequered past, but when he was appointed Swindon manager we already knew that. Granted, The Premiership is a much bigger place to manage and a global brand where every misdemeanour is magnified, but Di Canio got the job based on his abilities and successes at Swindon. More disappointing though is the amount of ‘experts’ crawling out of the woodwork to give their opinions and show themselves whiter than white. Former players and managers have voiced their disapproval, but the most annoying was Karren Brady in her diary in The Sun on Saturday.
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‘Many times since we took over the club Paolo has approached owners David Sullivan and David Gold about being the manager of West Ham.
I think they considered him briefly — something I never did — but dismissed him on the basis that football and fascism do not mix.’
Now, those quotes are fine if you stick to your guns, but where do you draw the line? Is it a case of not wanting Di Canio associated with the club any further because of his extreme right-wing politics, but will sell his shirts, dvds, portraits and memorabilia in the shop if it makes the club a tidy profit? I for one would like an answer or response in regards to that.
Basically, all I’m trying to say is that whilst I don’t necessarily agree with his political leanings, that at the same time they don’t bother me either. Di Canio was employed to do a job based on the board thinking he was the best man for the job. It’s unlikely that in his interview his political allegiances were questioned. Much like I’m sure Martin O’Neill’s weren’t. Nor Big Sam’s. Nor any manager in Britain. Therefore, cut the guy some slack, he’s a great character, a West Ham legend and only under the microscope thanks to Mr. Miliband needing a scapegoat so he could leave his position. The words attributed to Karren Brady are very disappointing, especially when you think that any opinions or beliefs he has outside of football, would have no bearing on how he does his job. Will the media get off his back? Probably not, but considering he’s not actually done much wrong per say, it makes you wonder where it will all end. Good luck Paolo!
Peace out,
Smudgy
@TheRobTaylor32
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Nice article mate
Hope he’s not still carrying a Stanley knife to matches as he claims on his autobiography, where incidentally he fully admits his fascist and racist leanings
Read his autobiography instead of going by the media and you will know that is not what he said. Read this from someone who bothered to research di canio http://optimumshaboogie.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/the-manufacture-of-outrage.html
What are you on about Pete? Di Canio is most likely less racist than half of British people. As dan says, don’t bother commenting on something when you clearly have no idea what you are talking about and haven’t bothered to read or research what PDC’s actual beliefs are.
As if any one takes a blind bit of notice of what she says or writes .
To be perfectly honest I am embarrassed by both Brady’s and Sullivan’s handling of the situation as it shows a clear lack of knowledge on what PDC’s beliefs are. Have very little respect for the both of them for what they have both written on the issue.
“don’t necessarily agree…” As weak as Di Canio’s statement after a week. I think you should read your history. What Fascism really is and what they have done.
I would say that being a player and a manager demands a bit of different approach. And therefore I understand that people question having a fascist as a leader. I agree that WH in a way have double agenda’s but the latest stands I agree with.
Di Canio was a great player for the Hammers but as a manager it remains to be seen. It is clear to see by his time at Swindon that he won’t suffer fools gladly although as a player himself he was quite a handfull for a manager to control with his sulks. I like dicanio as he is good for the game but I’m also glad that as a hammers fan that we stayed well clear of him
A well written article but deeply misguided. You ignore the Nazi salute to Lazio Ultras and his tattoo. His delay in disassociating himself from fascism when the scandal broke was all too telling. First it was no comment, then I am not a racist, then I am not in the House (sic) of Parliament and, only when he was backed into a lamp post did he begrudgingly break with Mussolini.
You talk about Mussolini’s link up with Hitler as if it was a loan deal between West Ham and Rochdale. Six million Jews died in gas chambers because of the Axis, and Mussolini allowed Italian Jews to be deported to the gas chambers. British soldiers died in Italy fighting the Axis. Ancestors of West Ham and Sunderland fans would have been included in their numbers.
We could never have appointed him given the Nazi salutes at the Tottenham game. Read what David James said about him. He is a deeply unsavoury individual. I hope he and Blunderland come a Roy Cropper.
And by the way, thegamesgonecrazy has campaigned against Il Duce Di Canio ever since he was appointed manager of Swindon.
Nice article. Got me thinking. I like pdc, he’s a claret and blue boy. Good point about whufc making money off a man that they slag off so publicly.
Everyone’s entitled to they’re own opinions. A lot of ppl share pdc’s view but keep they’re opinions private. I say let him have what ever political views he wants. He’s still got great potential as a manager and was a terrific player.
Politics should not come in to it, But l hope that he does not get a chance to Manage WHU as l do not think that it would be a good thing . He is a lose cannon He has never been a legend to me he was just a player who did good at the time ,as for Mrs Brady Well l have written about her before, and if l had my way she wouldn’t be at WHU either, to me she is a dangerous woman driven by power and money. Legends to me are Bobby Moore and Trevour Brooking he comes no where near them. Just my opinion
I don’t believe that Paolo is a facist or racist, and Brady and Sully’s comments are a bit ridiculous considering they were happy enough to have a DiCanio Lounge at the club.
Studied fascism in my A levels politics, one of the most interesting ideologies studied, in no way racist at it core, but based around decisions for the national good, and love of country.
The press are plonkers
Got a B just for the record.
‘A Level Politics’ haha. Mate; history has shown that you cannot be a fascist without being racist…..you are wrong. I studied politics at University and will continue to study it in September for my masters. I do not give a shit what people say about Paolo, he is a legend, wore his heart on his sleeve and always gave 110%. That is all us Irons ask for. You may have got a B….you talk BULLSHIT. I aint saying this to agree with Brady….far from it. I would have Big Sam out and Paolo in, in a second!!!
This is all a load of rubbish,i remember not so long ago football was the biggest and most enjojable sport of our time,what the hell has politics or views of people involved in the game got to do with it?have the media got nothing better to do?,i bet if you grilled almost the players and great managers of yhe 60s 70s and 80s there views would of been worse about racism and facism,its just a game for fuck sake!thanks for slowly killing our great game,with all thats going on in the world you should be ashamed of yourself,dicanio has got hes own views and to be honest i think most of oyur population have got racist views but are to scared to say anything
I wish people would stop being quite so ignorant. In Italy, people are openly facist or communist, it’s just a different political culture out there. Mancini, Di Matteo ect. could all be supporters of Italian facism, PDC is not ashamed of his beliefs and has no reason to be. Where he comes from people don’t instantly think racism is tied to the topic.
I think West Ham are being a bit hypocritical insofar as they do sell Di Canio merchantise at their shops and also have a hospitality suite dedicated to his name. Seems like Karren is being very virtious about Paolos political leanings but at the same time is quite willing to make a hansome profit on his name.
Karen should keep her big nose out of it and writing her crap in a crap newspaper is more harmful to the hammers and others than someone’s political beliefs.
If you asked the majority of fans to vote who they wanted at the club Di Canio
Brady or Allardyce the order would be
Di Canio Allardyce and maybe Brady
Thousands upon thousands of people from East London, civilians, soldiers, West Ham supporters (and players) were victims of this brutal ideology. They died as victims of fascism and due to fighting fascism in all its forms. I wonder what the players and parents of our great sixties team (those that survived the war) would have made of having a fascist in charge of WHU if Di Canio were give the job? Also, Fascism is ethnocentric so to try and say one is fascist but is not racist is like trying to split a particularly thin hair. One is inevitably tied to the other. A ‘Rome Salute’ is a fascist salute with very clear associations with Hitler who almost completely destroyed our country. Di Canio is aware of this. Lets complicate matters. What makes Di Canio’s position post-WHU particularly odious is that he denies he is a fascist when personal gain is on the line as in the case of the Sunderland job. He was a great player for us, and his views have nothing to do with the WHU that I know and love nor its people nor its history working class people supporting each other regardless of race, nationality or religion. We should remember him as he was, and steer well clear of him now.