On Sunday, during Sky Italia’s Premier League coverage, the former Italian worldwide wore a shirt-sleeved shirt, thus revealing his infamous “Dux” tattoo his bicep, which refers to “Il Duce” himself, Benito Mussolini.
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The characters relate to the fascist former leader of Italy, Benito Mussolini, who was known as “Il Duce”, and prompted complaints from viewers.
Understandably, Di Canio’s TV bosses were less than impressed, deciding to suspend the pundit.
The ANSA news agency quoted Sky’s executive vice-president Jacques Raynaud as saying: “We were made aware of a bit of emotion on social networks for a picture of our talented host Paolo Di Canio, with a certain tattoo showing on his arm”.
Di Canio has been open in the past about his fascist sympathies.
Defending Fascism is a crime in Di Canio’s homeland and in 2005 he received a one-match ban during his time in Serie A, when making a Fascist salute towards Lazio supporters.
“We talked a lot with Di Canio and, despite his professional behavior, we agreed to terminate his contract”.
Paolo Di Canio is certainly no stranger to controversy.
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Former West Ham striker Di Canio has previously been criticised for his political views and refused to address his reported beliefs when he was appointed Sunderland manager in 2013.
