This move enticed a public spectacle over the ex-Lazio player, marking a contrast in media interest from now ex-manager Martin O'Neill’s tenure at the club. Focus shifted from Sunderland’s relegation battle to the incoming manager’s controversial political views.
This resulted in political angst exemplified by David Miliband’s resignation as Vice-Chairman from the club’s board. His departure could be construed as a matter of convenience, as the now ex-MP for South Shields announced his exit from politics and move to the U.S. almost simultaneously.
Nevertheless, there is no doubt that his reaction to the Italian’s move to Sunderland signifies the wider impact of politics today. It showcases that an individual who has allegedly supported a regime founded upon the principles outlined by Benito Mussolini, once Italy’s most notorious Duce, ‘to make Italy great, respected and feared,’ can still be held to account for these beliefs despite attempts to disassociate himself from them.
It is fascinating to observe the recent dramatic portrayal of Di Canio's fascist lean; the media fracas appeared minimal whilst he was a predominantly successful manager at League One Swindon Town prior to accepting his current role at Sunderland. Worryingly this highlights the elevated status that Premier League clubs hold outside of football, a status formed from private wealth owing itself to capitalist philosophies.
Football is an internationally renowned sport engrained
into the cultural backdrop of global communities. It is, therefore, for this
reason that the philosophies and ideals broadcasted and publicised across
televisions, newspapers and social media sites are of paramount concern.
Incidentally, this means that it would be ignorant of the media to cast a blind gaze upon this issue; it is necessary to bring to the forefront the political views held by Di Canio in light of this radical regime.
It is the depth of intrusion into his personal life that is arguable. In fact, should the burden lie with the club’s board in this instance in failing to acknowledge sensitivity to the public interest when evaluating potential suitors to the position of manager? Or were the board correct in selecting Di Canio based on his credentials as a manger?
For Sunderland fans the continued discussion of Di Canio’s political beliefs is distracting from the central focus the club now faces, to prevent relegation. Football managers are not politicians and their purpose is not to influence government policy, thus, provided that Di Canio can cement Sunderland’s position in the Premier League next season he will continue to be welcomed by the club’s fans.
His success at Swindon Town could be responsible for having downplayed the negativity surrounding his political stance at the time. Consequently, it will be interesting to see whether potential victory for Sunderland on the pitch would diminish the public attack on his private views.
For an individual leading a life in the public domain, however, it will be hard to argue that such ‘privately’ held views will remain so.
In addition, it was highlighted by the media that Di Canio once defended his political faith towards fascism by identifying himself as a ‘fascist not racist’. This distinction provides a tremendous insight into the morality and principles forming the foundation of a once widely prominent regime in the post WW1 era.
It is important to also assess whether fascism and racism are then mutually exclusive? The former was a term coined in the era of Mussolini’s totalitarian right-wing nationalist regime between 1922 and 1943.The rise of fascism may be viewed as having been surrounded by travesty, however, it was once the most favourable system at a time where Italians feared socialism and liberals could not provide a united alternative.
Under fascism the ideal was to promote the supremacy of Italy as a nation under one powerful leader to the global audience. Racism is defined as a belief by one race that theirs is superior to another. By no means is it possible to explore every concept and aspect of such political ideals and complex terminology that has surely developed throughout history in this one article, nonetheless, it is possible to draw on the face of it that the technical components forming the definition and perceptions of each term share similar roots.
Incidentally, this means that it would be ignorant of the media to cast a blind gaze upon this issue; it is necessary to bring to the forefront the political views held by Di Canio in light of this radical regime.
It is the depth of intrusion into his personal life that is arguable. In fact, should the burden lie with the club’s board in this instance in failing to acknowledge sensitivity to the public interest when evaluating potential suitors to the position of manager? Or were the board correct in selecting Di Canio based on his credentials as a manger?
For Sunderland fans the continued discussion of Di Canio’s political beliefs is distracting from the central focus the club now faces, to prevent relegation. Football managers are not politicians and their purpose is not to influence government policy, thus, provided that Di Canio can cement Sunderland’s position in the Premier League next season he will continue to be welcomed by the club’s fans.
His success at Swindon Town could be responsible for having downplayed the negativity surrounding his political stance at the time. Consequently, it will be interesting to see whether potential victory for Sunderland on the pitch would diminish the public attack on his private views.
For an individual leading a life in the public domain, however, it will be hard to argue that such ‘privately’ held views will remain so.
In addition, it was highlighted by the media that Di Canio once defended his political faith towards fascism by identifying himself as a ‘fascist not racist’. This distinction provides a tremendous insight into the morality and principles forming the foundation of a once widely prominent regime in the post WW1 era.
It is important to also assess whether fascism and racism are then mutually exclusive? The former was a term coined in the era of Mussolini’s totalitarian right-wing nationalist regime between 1922 and 1943.The rise of fascism may be viewed as having been surrounded by travesty, however, it was once the most favourable system at a time where Italians feared socialism and liberals could not provide a united alternative.
Under fascism the ideal was to promote the supremacy of Italy as a nation under one powerful leader to the global audience. Racism is defined as a belief by one race that theirs is superior to another. By no means is it possible to explore every concept and aspect of such political ideals and complex terminology that has surely developed throughout history in this one article, nonetheless, it is possible to draw on the face of it that the technical components forming the definition and perceptions of each term share similar roots.
Last week as Di Canio was unveiled as Sunderland’s new manger it would have been unlikely that the club’s board would have imagined the resulting turmoil. His appointment has divided opinion over whether a barrier preventing politics from intruding football exists.
In spite of the fact that consensus on the matter may never be reached, it is indisputable that the lines surrounding the worlds of football and politics have been drawn closer. This appears, unfortunately, to have been achieved at the expense of unity within football in light of the Premier League receiving ‘premier’ attention.
