Paolo Di Canio - JackAss of the week December 26th, 2005 - January 2nd, 2006

Mike · December 26th, 2005, 10:08 AM

Lazio's Paolo Di Canio has been banned for one game and fined 10,000 euros ($12,000) for making a raised-arm salute in a match earlier this month, the Italian Football League's disciplinary committee announced on Monday.

The 37-year-old striker, who made the fascist salute during the 2-1 Serie A defeat at Livorno on Dec. 11, will now miss Lazio's trip to Lecce on Wednesday.

The gesture was attacked by politicians, players, fans and Jewish groups in Italy.

Sepp Blatter, president of world soccer's governing body FIFA, said players making fascist salutes should be banned from the game for life.

Even Lazio distanced themselves from Di Canio, saying the club rejected any "politicisation" of football.

Di Canio defended the gesture, saying it was not intended as a political statement and that he would continue to acknowledge his fans in whatever way he chooses.

The match in Livorno was as much a conflict of political views as a sporting event.

Livorno are known in Italy for the hard left-wing politics of their supporters while Lazio's ultras have often aligned themselves with the far right.

The game was played in a poisonous atmosphere. The home supporters chanted anti-facist songs while the visitors held up a swastika.

Di Canio also made the salute at the end of Lazio's 3-1 win over city rivals AS Roma in January.

On that occasion he was fined 10,000 euros and escaped a ban.

jtg33 · December 26th, 2005, 02:18 PM

Huh... This entire story kind of seems fucked up. This guy is a jackass for sure, but the rest of the story just seems pretty weird, too. Oh, those crazy Italians!

JGAC · December 26th, 2005, 02:20 PM

Too much politics in this one.

jtg33 · December 26th, 2005, 02:22 PM

Yeah. It's a strangely politcally-charged sports story.

JGAC · December 26th, 2005, 02:23 PM

Quote:

The home supporters chanted anti-facist songs while the visitors held up a swastika.

That right there just makes it that much more odd.

nhannaford · December 26th, 2005, 02:29 PM

I think this @@@@@@ guy should be it. Just put up a picture of a big @ symbol.....

Gunnerman · December 28th, 2005, 08:34 AM

Mike got this one spot on. Di Canio even admitted in his biography, I believe, that he was an admirer of Italy's facist leader Benito Mussolini.

December 26th, 2005, 10:08 AM	#1
Mike Join Date: 07-08-2002 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 10,855 Tournaments Joined: 0 Tournament Wins: 0	Paolo Di Canio - JackAss of the week December 26th, 2005 - January 2nd, 2006 Lazio's Paolo Di Canio has been banned for one game and fined 10,000 euros ($12,000) for making a raised-arm salute in a match earlier this month, the Italian Football League's disciplinary committee announced on Monday. The 37-year-old striker, who made the fascist salute during the 2-1 Serie A defeat at Livorno on Dec. 11, will now miss Lazio's trip to Lecce on Wednesday. The gesture was attacked by politicians, players, fans and Jewish groups in Italy. Sepp Blatter, president of world soccer's governing body FIFA, said players making fascist salutes should be banned from the game for life. Even Lazio distanced themselves from Di Canio, saying the club rejected any "politicisation" of football. Di Canio defended the gesture, saying it was not intended as a political statement and that he would continue to acknowledge his fans in whatever way he chooses. The match in Livorno was as much a conflict of political views as a sporting event. Livorno are known in Italy for the hard left-wing politics of their supporters while Lazio's ultras have often aligned themselves with the far right. The game was played in a poisonous atmosphere. The home supporters chanted anti-facist songs while the visitors held up a swastika. Di Canio also made the salute at the end of Lazio's 3-1 win over city rivals AS Roma in January. On that occasion he was fined 10,000 euros and escaped a ban.

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December 26th, 2005, 02:18 PM	#2
jtg33 Join Date: 03-18-2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 4,487 Tournaments Joined: 0 Tournament Wins: 0	Huh... This entire story kind of seems fucked up. This guy is a jackass for sure, but the rest of the story just seems pretty weird, too. Oh, those crazy Italians!

December 26th, 2005, 02:20 PM	#3
JGAC Join Date: 05-09-2003 Location: North End, Boston Posts: 6,079 Tournaments Joined: 0 Tournament Wins: 0	Too much politics in this one.

December 26th, 2005, 02:22 PM	#4
jtg33 Join Date: 03-18-2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 4,487 Tournaments Joined: 0 Tournament Wins: 0	Yeah. It's a strangely politcally-charged sports story.

December 26th, 2005, 02:29 PM	#6
nhannaford Join Date: 06-04-2004 Location: Raynham, MA Posts: 1,348 Tournaments Joined: 0 Tournament Wins: 0	I think this @@@@@@ guy should be it. Just put up a picture of a big @ symbol.....

December 28th, 2005, 08:34 AM	#7
Gunnerman Join Date: 04-01-2004 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 5,519 Tournaments Joined: 0 Tournament Wins: 0	Mike got this one spot on. Di Canio even admitted in his biography, I believe, that he was an admirer of Italy's facist leader Benito Mussolini.

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