Paolo Di Canio, the former Italian football player has written a letter of apology to the Jewish community saying he repudiates “anti-Semitic, racist, discriminatory and violent” views.
Di Canio wrote the letter after his most recent controversy. In September he was suspended from his position at Sky Sports Italia after appearing on live TV with a short-sleeve shirt revealing a pro-fascist tattoo on his arm during the broadcast.
The tattoo reads “DUX.” which is in reference to Benito Mussolini, who ruled Italy for two decades and was an ally of Adolf Hitler.
“I believe, without ifs, ands, or buts, that Mussolini’s racist laws were a terrible infamy for the history of our country, an infamy that caused immense tragedy for thousands of Jews in Italy,” Di Canio wrote, saying that this was his “convinced and determined” position.
He said that as a public personality he felt the need to contribute “to sensitize our young people toward sentiments of solidarity and respect, to unite and not to divide, against any form of hatred, anti-Semitism, and racism.”
Di Canio has been a controversial figure throughout his career. During a match for Lazio he performed a roman salute to fans.
During his career he played for Lazio, Juventus, Celtic, West Ham United and others. He also managed Swindon Town FC and Sunderland.
