After the match Di Canio celebrated the 3-1 victory over Roma in the with the Nazi salute. His fascist views are well known, both from the tatoo on his arm ("DUX", latin for leader) and from one chapter of his biography dedicated to Mussolini. Find the article here Freaking pathetic.
Not to dismiss this as problematic, but there are only 2 pages in his book that speak of Mussolini, not an entire chapter. Some excerpts ... "I think he was a deeply misunderstood individual. There are two aspects to my fascination with Mussolini. The first is the way he faced difficulties and overcame them ..... Mussolini's other great quality was his patriotism. Like me he was a nationalist ..... He deceived people, his actions were often vile or calculated. But all this was motivated by a higher purpose. At stake was the fate of a nation ... What fascinates me, and this is probably where Mussolini and I are very different, is the way he was able to go against his morals to achieve his goal." It may be a distasteful opinion, but right-wing nationalism (aka fascism? my dictionary says fascism involves a dictatorship; another definition I found says it includes the forcible suppression of political opposition, neither of which I suppose Di Canio endorses) does have a significant presence in Italian politics. Mussolini's granddaughter Alessandra is even in the Italian parliament. I guess what I'm saying are his views are his views. Having said that, the Nazi salute .... that is taking it too far. That represents a lot more than simple nationalism, especially taking place after the Rome derby, since many Roma fans are Jewish. He should be pilloried for doing that.
What I meant was from a chapter, not a chapter dedicated to. I believe that Alessandra is pretty liberal though, remember that she was once a porn star. Unless laws have been changed, Italy has laws against fascism much as Germany does with Nazism and Nai symbolism.
She's a member of the Alleanza Nazionale party - www.alleanzanazionale.it - "The Web Site of the Italian Right Wing". BTW, I'm surprised not to see anything about this gesture on RAI or in La Gazzetta. If Di Canio had done this in England, it would be all over the papers there.
Okay, now it's in the Gazzetta. It'll get some play now. http://www.gazzetta.it/primi_piani/calcio/2005/pp_1.0.626741432.shtml I notice they describe the gesture as a "saluto romano" - does that have the same negative connotation as "Nazi salute" does in English?
lets not go crazy.... no need for this....how did you become a mod?? Two pages becomes a chapter... anyway, while I won't condone Di Canio's actions...he was extremely heated and very emotional. He is a glory hound and his actions in that picture were no doubt an attempt at earning even more favor with the ultras...
Re: lets not go crazy.... Did I say he dedicated an entire chapter to Mussolini? I said he comments on him where from a chapter in his book. I became a mod before you were a member, thanks for asking. So you won't condone his actions, yet you go on to condone them. Interesting.
Re: lets not go crazy.... I don't condone his actions....nor do I think it was "freakin pathethic". Was it in poor taste? No question... this is the key phrase from di canio's take on mussolini: "He deceived people, his actions were often vile or calculated. But all this was motivated by a higher purpose. At stake was the fate of a nation ... What fascinates me, and this is probably where Mussolini and I are very different, is the way he was able to go against his morals to achieve his goal." and by the way thanks for taking the focus off our best victory this season and putting it on this...
Re: lets not go crazy.... If you think giving the nazi salute in a stadium, or anywhere for that matter, is anything less than "freakin' pathetic", then you have your own issues. I don't care if you're emotional or it's a heated match. The nazi salute is the nazi salute. Period. End of discussion.
Re: lets not go crazy.... not blamely you for that, only for making way too big a deal out of a passionate couple of seconds after a very tense derby...
Re: lets not go crazy.... your absolutely right, wrong choice on my part. What I was trying to get it is I dont believe him to be a facist or racist. See the highlight portions from his book above.... using the "saluto romano" was certainly a bad choice....I'm curious to see what he says (he's never quiet) as reporters approach him on this...
I'm guessing Roma is liberal and Lazio is pretty conservative huh? In that case Forza Roma lol. BTW cassano goal was beatiful. He is the future of italy
DiCanio's salute looks similiar to Shearer's salute when he scores. Just making an observation, that's all. With that said I like both players, and support Newcastle and the Metrostars.
showed the story and the pic to a couple italian (non calcio) friends...they claim there to be a difference in the roman salute...
Re: lets not go crazy.... He is rebellious, he causes controversy, this is why the fans love Di Canio.
Yeah, but every time Shearer scores, you can tell his salute is celebratory... After watching Di Canio over the years I never knew he was a fascist. And I don't think he ever made a Nazi salute in England either...nor did I think he ever had a 'signature' celebration...
Re: lets not go crazy.... Exactly. And not that I condone this action, but we in America tend to forget that the rest of the world isn't as PC as we are.
Are you sure he wasn't raising his hand to wave goodnight to the fans? btw, I'm a Jew....so this disturbs me, but doesn't surprise me at all.