Fascist salute lands Lazio Roma Striker Di Canio in trouble

[Kellanved]

MILAN (Reuters) - Lazio striker Paolo Di Canio has been criticised across the political spectrum in Italy after images showed him celebrating his team's derby win against AS Roma with a fascist-style salute.

At the end of Thursday's game, won 3-1 by Lazio with Di Canio among the scorers, the former England-based player ran underneath the Lazio supporters at the North End of the stadium to celebrate the victory.

Photographs published in newspapers on Saturday clearly showed Di Canio displaying a stiff armed salute to the crowd, identical to the 'Roman salute' used by followers of Italy's wartime fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.

Alessandra Mussolini, grand-daughter of the late dictator and herself a far-right politician, praised Di Canio's actions.

"How nice that Roman salute was, it delighted me so much," she said, "I shall write him a thank-you note".

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http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle.jhtml?type=sportsNews&storyID=650647

http://www.spiegel.de/img/0,1020,424124,00.jpg

[T_i_B]

1. Can't say I have much time for Di Canio.

I for one thought it was actually a good thing when he walked out of Sheffield Wednesday. It was only after he left that Wednesday started playing football well that season. I don't think he's a good influence in any football team's dressing room.

We may have fallen a heck of a way since Di Canio played for us, but at least things are looking up now we have Paul Sturrock in charge. :-)