For most of Europe (and the rest of the world) fascism's a pretty big deal. There was the small matter of a 6 year global war in opposition of it, which led to the deaths of something in the region of 60 million people, and much to the surprise of sections of Lazio's fanbase that's not something people are too keen to have another go at. That doesn't stop the club's ultras, or the Irriducibili as they're better known, from regularly flying neo-nazi banners at games, booing black players, and chanting anti-Jewish songs. Among their ranks in the 80s was a young Lazio youth team player by the name of Paolo Di Canio. A fan favourite for being one of their own, Di Canio caught the attention of the world's media during his second spell at the club when, following a goal against arch-rivals Roma, he charged towards a certain section of the crowd and delivered the notorious right-wing Roman salute. He was immediately fined and had his political views brought under the microscope of the media. But ever quick to defuse a tense situation, Di Canio responded to allegations that he was a racist by giving the well-thought-out and measured response of "absolutely stupid and ridiculous" adding "I'm a fascist, not a racist". As a result, the fascist tag has followed him around with his managerial career and, until he addresses it properly, it'll be the main thing keeping him out of work.
WhatCulture's Managing Editor and Chief Reporter | Previously seen in Vice, Esquire, FourFourTwo, Sabotage Times, Loaded, The Set Pieces, and Mundial Magazine
