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Tuesday, 2 April 2013

Info Post
Not from the BBC:

New Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio refused to answer questions about whether he holds communist beliefs in his first news conference as boss.

The Italian described the controversy surrounding his appointment as "ridiculous and pathetic" after taking over from Martin O'Neill.

Ex-Foreign Secretary David Miliband welcomed him because of Di Canio "sharing political views with dad".

The Durham Conservative Party is unhappy with Di Canio's appointment and has called for Sunderland to return the Thatcher Banner, which is on permanent display in the Stadium of Light.

"I, like many thousands of democrats, have supported Sunderland from infancy and are passionate about football," said local party chairman Dave Tory. "But there are principles which are much more important."

Di Canio, 44, who quit Swindon - his only previous managerial post - on 18 February, has talked in the past of his communist views.

He is reported to have said in an interview with Cuban newspaper Granma that flashing his Che Guevara t-shirt when playing for West Ham was aimed at "my comrades", who he defines as members of Cuba's communist movement, and not intended to incite homophobia or the execution of thousands without trial.

In his autobiography, he admitted being "fascinated by Castro", who was the leader of Cuba after the revolution.

Sunderland insist claims Di Canio has homophobic or communist sympathies are insulting to both the "integrity of the club" and their new manager.

During Tuesday's news conference, BBC Sport's Dan Roan twice asked the Italian to clarify his political views.

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