Player's 'fascist salute' probed

By Mark Duff
BBC News, Milan

Di Canio's gesture is associated with fascist dictator Mussolini

The Italian football authorities have launched an inquiry into an incident in which Lazio player Paulo di Canio appeared to give a fascist salute.

Di Canio made a stiff-armed salute to Lazio fans as he left the pitch - the trademark of dictator Benito Mussolini.

The footballer later insisted that he would always greet his supporters in the same way.

Di Canio was fined 10,000 euros ($11,930; £6,750) for a similar gesture less than a year ago.

He could risk a bigger punishment this time, especially as he has been so brazenly unapologetic.

Tattoos

Di Canio is one of Italy's most colourful and controversial footballers, who has played for several British clubs as well as the biggest names in Italian football.

He makes no secret of his admiration for Mussolini: he carries tattoos of the dictator's self-ascribed title - "dux", which is Latin for Il Duce - on his right arm, and a fascist emblem on his back.

Di Canio's best hope of leniency now may lie in claiming that he was provoked by opposing Livorno supporters.

Lazio fans have a well-deserved reputation as some of the most racist, right-wing in Italy; those of Livorno are rather less well-known for their strong left-wing views.

While Lazio fans carried swastikas and the current neo-fascist symbol - the Celtic cross - on Sunday, some of their opponents responded by singing the old communist anthem, the Red Flag.