SUNDERLAND AFC’S choice of Paolo Di Canio as new manager was coming under mounting pressure last night, after the Italian spurned repeated invitations to deny he was a fascist.

Facing the media in his first press conference since being appointed on Sunday, Di Canio was given the chance to renounce the far right ideology on at least six occasions.

But he consistently refused, saying he didn’t have to answer the question any more.

The 44-year-old, who was hired after owner Ellis Short sacked Martin O’Neill following Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat to champions-elect Manchester United – with the Black Cats just one point above the Premier League relegation zone, has been quoted as telling an Italian news agency in 2005 that he was “a fascist, but not a racist”.

Former Foreign Secretary David Miliband quit as the club’s vice-chairman in protest and the Durham Miners’ Association (DMA) demanded the return of a colliery banner from the Stadium of Light.

Understandably, his new bosses were desperate that yesterday’s press conference would focus on football matters.

But the question of Di Canio’s political stance came up again and again.

He said: “I don’t have to answer this any more.

“If I was working at the Houses of Parliament then I would answer a political question, but I’m probably never going to get there.

“I only want to talk about football. This story has to finish.”

When pressed further, the Rome-born former West Ham United striker accused journalists of offending his family and the values of his parents.

Invited to meet fans angry at his appointment, he said they would queue up for tickets when they saw how he works and what kind of person he is.

He continued: “So I don’t have to answer that question any more. So once again I want to repeat to people who are talking about this, that they offend my parents and I don’t give any chances to anyone to offend my parents. Not Paolo Di Canio.

“If I were alone, without my family previously and my daughters now, I would answer every single question, I would say a few words – some of them might be bad words, I have to be honest with you. But now the story has to finish.”

That seems highly unlikely, however. Criticism only grew after his interviews.

Kevin Storey BEM, secretary of the Durham Light Infantry Association who served in West Germany in the 1950s, said: “We fought fascism for a long time. I don’t think anyone, after that, would have expected Sunderland to appoint a fascist manager.

“I cannot understand the management being so naive not to look into his background before appointing him. Anyone with any common sense would have known he wouldn’t have been welcome in this area. The management is to blame.”

Sharon Hodgson, MP for Washington and Sunderland West and a Labour shadow minister for children and families, said: “Sunderland’s values are rooted in those of local workers and unions, all of whom stand squarely against fascism. Supporters are therefore right to demand clarity on their manager’s political viewpoints.

“This morning’s press conference would have been the ideal opportunity for Mr Di Canio and the club to provide that clarity and draw a line under the matter, and it’s extremely disappointing that this opportunity was wasted.”

Dave Hopper, general secretary of the DMA and a Sunderland fan, confirmed he had written to the club demanding the return of the Monkwearmouth colliery banner.

He said: “I’m not pleased at the appointment because of his political affiliations.

“He seems to be floundering all over the place. He’s covering up, using the old ‘misquoted’ or ‘taken out of context’.

“It’s irrelevant. What we want to know is where he stands and what he stands for.

“It’s a terrible mistake by the club, especially when they’re trying to kick racism out of football. It’s very sad and in the long term it could be catastrophic.”

When asked whether he would be willing to meet Mr Hopper, Di Canio said he didn’t know what the problems were.

On Mr Miliband’s exit, he said he was sorry for him but respected every decision.

Meanwhile, the Nelson Mandela Foundation said its new partnership with the club was not under threat following Di Canio’s appointment.

Shirt sponsors Invest in Africa said it was a football-related matter and under the club’s remit; but it is not known whether the firm will extend its deal beyond the end of the current season.

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