WE understand the concerns of the Sunderland fans who cannot countenance the idea of supporting the team while Paolo Di Canio coaches the Black Cats.

In the past, the club’s new head coach has made no secret of his fascist views.

We believe many supporters will find them distasteful and respectfully disagree.

However, we also appreciate the view of those fans who say Di Canio should be judged on his results – that he should be allowed to manage the team irrespective of his political beliefs.

However, what made this appointment such an explosive mix was the presence of the club’s vice-chairman David Miliband.

Did anyone really think the former Labour foreign secretary could continue working at the club with Di Canio in charge of the team?

And, having appointed a high-profile politician to the board, officials should hardly be surprised that the Di Canio saga has become a “political circus”.

There must also be the fear that Di Canio’s right-wing views may attract the wrong kind of fans to the Stadium of Light – currently one of the most family-friendly football venues in the premier league.

Whatever the rights and wrongs of this appointment one thing everybody can agree on is that the last thing Sunderland AFC needs right now is an off-field distraction.

Di Canio’s appointment has split the fan base at a time when the club needs all the support it can get.