Sunderland's Paolo Di Canio attacks 'stupid and ridiculous' claims of racism The new Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio has rejected "stupid and ridiculous" claims that he is a racist, as concerns grow over his self-confessed fascist leanings. Since Di Canio's appointment, former foreign secretary David Miliband has stepped down as the club's vice-chairman, citing "the new manager's past political statements." In 2005, while playing for Italian side Lazio, Di Canio made a fascist salute to the club's fans. In his memoirs, Di Canio defended Benito Mussolini as "basically a very principled, ethical individual" who was "deeply misunderstood." He has a tattoo that says "Dux" on his bicep, which is a Latinised spelling of "Duce," another name for the former dictator. Piara Power, the director of anti-racism group Football Against Racism in Europe, demanded that the former Swindon manager clarified his political beliefs. And in a statement responding to mounting media pressure, Di Canio said: "I don't have a problem with anyone. I don't know why I have to keep repeating my story, to be defending myself on something that doesn't belong to me every time I change clubs. Talk about racism? That is absolutely stupid, stupid and ridiculous. What I can say is that if someone is hurt, I am sorry. But this didn't come from me, it came from a big story that people put out in a different way to what it was. I never have a problem in my past. I expressed an opinion in an interview many years ago. Some pieces were taken for media convenience. They took my expression in a very, very negative way - but it was a long conversation and a long interview. It was not fair. I know it is a part of my job to do interviews because I am well-known, but sometimes it suits their purpose to put big headlines and a big story. The people who know me can change that idea quickly. When I was in England my best friends were Trevor Sinclair and Chris Powell, the Charlton manager (both black players) - they can tell you everything about my character. I don't want to talk about politics because it's not my area. We are not in the Houses of Parliament, we are in a football club. I want to talk about sport. I want to talk about football, my players, the Board and the fans. My first priority is my family and my daughters, that's obvious, and secondly to have the responsibility for thousands of people. This is my priority and I want to be focused on this aspect. I don't want to talk any more about politics - I am not a politics person. The Sunderland CEO, Margaret Byrne, said: "It's been very disappointing to read some of the reaction to Paolo's appointment. To accuse him now ... of being a racist or having fascist sympathies, is insulting not only to him but to the integrity of this football club. Di Canio played for Sheffield Wednesday, Celtic and West Ham among others in a long career in Britain. While at Wednesday, he was banned for 11 games after he pushed over referee Paul Alcock after Alcock sent him off. Only last month, Greek midfielder Giorgos Katidis was banned from all levels of international football and for the rest of his club season after making a similar salute to Di Canio's.