Italian footballer Paolo Di Canio is in disgrace after pushing a referee to the ground.

The fiery Sheffield Wednesday winger blew his top after being sent off during his team's home match with Arsenal on Saturday.

Di Canio - nicknamed the Volcano - was immediately suspended by his club and on Monday was charged with misconduct by the English Football Association.

But he says referee Paul Alcock "took a dive" after being pushed.

"He took three or four sideways steps before falling over in rather a strange way - like someone diving to win a penalty.

"In fact, it was so odd he would probably have been given a yellow card if he had been a player. To me, it looked like someone who was acting."

But the player has been widely condemned by fans and administrators.

Some say he should never play in England again while others have gone further, demanding a life-long ban.

Referees say incidents of assaults by players on officials is increasing - both at grassroots level and in the professional game.

But others point to worse abuses of officials in matches abroad and argue that players lose control of their tempers because referees lose control of matches.

The incident during a stormy match at Hillsborough adds to the controversy over referees in what is a multi-million pound business.

But what do you think?

Should Di Canio be banned from football?

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