Di Canio: more Ceaser salad than Fascism

By European Football
February 8 2005

Lazio's Paolo Di Canio Salute that caused all the trouble at the Rome derby was misinterpreted according to the player; it was nothing to do with Il Duce and all to do with the glory days of the Roman Empire, according to the player himself.

Breaking his recent silence on the event in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, the striker defended himself.

"I have never hidden my political beliefs.

"However, that gesture did not mean that I was stirring up fascism, but considering that its origins have to do with the Roman Empire."

"I find other things worse, such as certain radio programmes broadcast in Rome that I listened to after the derby."

"I believe these things are much more dangerous. Politics are part of our society, and I think it's almost impossible to keep this out of stadia.”

"The important thing is that divergence doesn't lead to a conflict."