PAOLO Di Canio made a desperate attempt to end the furore over his political views tonight (Wednesday, April 3), saying he is not a racist and does not support the ideology of fascism.

But while his comments, in a statement issued on the Sunderland AFC website, calmed some critics, others questioned his apparent sudden change of heart.

Yesterday, the new Black Cats boss, who was quoted in 2005 as saying he was “a fascist, but not a racist”, repeatedly refused to renounce the far right ideology.

However, with criticism mounting tonight, he issued the following statement: “I have clearly stated that I do not wish to speak about matters other than football, however, I have been deeply hurt by the attacks on the football club.

“This is a historic, proud and ethical club and to read and hear some of the vicious and personal accusations is painful.

“I am an honest man, my values and principles come from my family and my upbringing.

“I feel that I should not have to continually justify myself to people who do not understand this, however I will say one thing only – I am not the man that some people like to portray.

“I am not political, I do not affiliate myself to any organisation, I am not a racist and I do not support the ideology of fascism. I respect everyone.

“I am a football man and this and my family are my focus. Now I will speak only of football.”

The Durham Miners’ Association accepted the statement and withdrew its demand that the club return its Monkwearmouth colliery banner from the Stadium of Light.

General Secretary Dave Hopper said he hoped the statement was sincere and if it was it would solve the problem and put the issue to bed, allowing Di Canio get on with keeping the Black Cats in the Premier League.

Sharon Hodgson, MP for Washington and Sunderland West, also welcomed the statement, although said it should have come much sooner.

“I hope that the club can now focus on staying in the Premier League and that the fans will get behind the team for the remaining games of the season,” she added.

However, Kevin Storey, secretary of the Durham Light Infantry Association who served in West Germany in the 1950s, questioned whether Di Canio had changed his mind overnight, saying: “Has he changed his political views or does he just want to placate the scary scene he’s created? He has some strange bedfellows.”

Earlier, pictures had emerged of Di Canio apparently attending the funeral of Italian fascist leader Paolo Signorelli, who was jailed for – although later cleared of – the bombing of Bologna station in 1980, which killed 85.

Elsewhere, the Dean of Durham, whose Jewish mother fled Nazi Germany as a teenager, had called on Di Canio to renounce fascism.

In an open letter to the Italian, the Very Reverend Michael Sadgrove said his appointment had raised some very difficult questions and his alleged beliefs were "deeply troubling".

Tonight Dean Sadgrove warmly welcomed Di Canio's statement and said: "This will allow everyone to move forward and focus on football at Sunderland."

Campaign group Kick It Out called on the 44-year-old to state his commitment to anti-racism, while former teammate Chris Powell called his appointment “a bold decision” but sidestepped political questions.

Di Canio will take charge of his first game on Sunday, as Sunderland travel to Chelsea.

But the police are already planning for the following Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby, which will be even more tense given this week’s events.

Chief Superintendent Steve Neill called on both Newcastle and Sunderland fans to help make the match a success, but said trouble would not be tolerated.

Previously, Di Canio had blasted the furore over his appointment as “ridiculous and pathetic” and said he didn’t have to answer the question any more. But former Foreign Secretary David Miliband had already quit as the club’s vice-chairman over the issue.

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