'I don't have a problem with anyone': Di Canio hits back at critics after David Miliband quits Sunderland football club over his fascist views Campaigners call for Di Canio to repudiate past fascist sympathies Fans warn Italian to keep extreme political views out of professional life New Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio has defended himself against criticism of his political beliefs after David Miliband announced he is quitting his lucrative directorship of the Premier League club. The former Labour foreign secretary said he was parting ways with the club after it appointed the self-confessed fascist Di Canio, who was once fined by Fifa for making a fascist salute while playing for Rome club Lazio. New manager: Paolo Di Canio pictured outside the Sunderland stadium in a brief appearance this morning But in a statement released today by the club, Di Canio hit back and 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. He added: '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. 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 - 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. I don't want to talk any more about politics - I am not a politics person.' Meanwhile, anti-fascism campaigners today called for Di Canio, a former West Ham striker, to publicly retract comments. Unite Against Fascism's joint national secretary, Weyman Bennett, said Di Canio's political views were 'an insult' to the people of Sunderland who died fighting fascism. Mr Bennett said: 'If he wants to be a manager and wants to be a public figure, he needs to make it clear he accepts these views are completely inappropriate. Football has made great strides in opposing fascism. It's simply not true that you can say you agree with fascism and that's okay. It's something that isn't acceptable.' He said he was 'not surprised' by Mr Miliband's decision to quit. Last week Mr Miliband, Labour MP for South Shields, said he was leaving the country and British politics to head an international charity in New York. However, he did not say that he was quitting his part-time role at Sunderland. He joined the Wearside club in February 2011. Campaigners have called for Di Canio to repudiate his previous political comments. Weyman Bennett of Unite Against Fascism said his appointment was 'an insult' to the people of Sunderland who died fighting against the Nazis. 'If he wants to be a manager and wants to be a public figure, he needs to make it clear he accepts these views are completely inappropriate,' Mr Bennett said. It's simply not true that you can say you agree with fascism and that's OK. Fans said they respected Mr Miliband's decision to step down but said the club's success should take priority over politics. However, they warned that Di Canio must keep any political views out of football or face being kicked out of the club. Supporter Stan Simpson, a season ticket holder for 40 years and a Sunderland AFC Supporters' Club member, said some fans would be 'wary' about the Italian's appointment. 'David Miliband has got principles to stick by, and it's a principle. You've got to admire the guy for that,' he said. 'I understand Mr Miliband's decision but there is no way we, as fans, would entertain any fascism in our club. 'As long as he doesn't express any political opinions I can cope with it. I've got no problem with him being there. But if he expresses those sort of opinions while he's there, he should be sacked, it doesn't matter how or where. It's not acceptable in this country.' Fan Janet Rowan, a long-time supporter and secretary of the Chester-le-Street supporters' group, said she thought Di Canio was 'very passionate' about his involvement in the game but said extremist politics 'isn't something we want in football'. She added: 'I respect David Miliband's views but as fans we have got to support Di Canio. I think with some people, his appointment probably will leave a bad taste but I hope that the majority of fans are going to put Sunderland football club ahead of everything.