Italy's political scars reopened by Di Canio's 'Fascist salute'

[Rose Siding]

Fans of Italy's Lazio football club yesterday threatened to stage mass protests if Paolo Di Canio, the team's striker, is disciplined for celebrating a win over Roma with a Fascist salute.

National football federation officials opened an inquiry after Di Canio, 35, gave the straight-armed, flat-handed gesture, known since the rule of the Second World War dictator Benito Mussolini as a "Roman salute" at the end of Thursday evening's derby game in which Lazio beat Roma 3-1.
...
Lazio fans known as "Ultras" long have been notorious for their neo-Fascist tendencies and famous supporters include Daniela Fini, the wife of the Italian Foreign Minister, Gianfranco Fini, who heads the "post-Fascist" National Alliance party founded by former members of the Italian Social Movement (MSI), a grouping led by former blackshirts from Mussolini's totalitarian regime.
...
Di Canio has the word dux, the latin term from which Mussolini styled himself Duce (leader), tattooed on his arm. In an autobiography, he said he was fascinated by the dictator, whom he called "basically a very principled, ethical individual". Alessandra Mussolini, the dictator's granddaughter who recently left the National Alliance to start a new far-right party, said she approved of the salute. "How nice that Roman salute was, it delighted me so much. I shall write him a thank- you note."....

http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/story.jsp?story=599286

[Fab1969]

1. Di Canio should be jailed

The Italian Constitution (Article XII) and the subsequent law to implement that article (law 645 year 1952, aka "legge Scelba") very clearly states that proselytizing for the fascist party is a crime that shall be punished with 6mo-2yrs in jail.

With the current Italian political climate, though, nothing will happen to Di Canio.

Just a few weeks ago, a long TV show was on the public RAI 1 about a book "From Mussolini to Berlusconi" where Mussolini was praised as a good father, husband, and grandfather who happened to be a dictator.
The main guest was Mussolini's grand daughter, who kept saying what a great man her grandfather was.

The poor historian who had the misfortune to be part of the show was never given the opportunity to remind the viewers of the horrible crimes committed by the fascist regime.

[Voltaire99]

2. More on Italy's resurrection of fascist symbolism

It's not only the soccer players and their right wing fans, but the cultural arm of the Berlusconi government that is eager to dust off the bad old days:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/features/story/0,11710,1383351,00.html?gusrc=rss

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[derby378]

4. Wasn't the Roman Empire fascist by definition?

Strong central authority, props for aristocrats/corporations, curtailing of civil rights, tightly regimented social structure - just sounds like the Italians had a long on-and-off history with this sort of thing.

[glitch]

5. They certainly were at the time of their collapse - perhaps most Italians

have long memories and a natural aversion to this particular form of "government".

[derby378]

6. The southern Italians certainly did

That's one reason the three "Mafias" sprung into existence in the 19th century. From Naples down to Sicily, they're almost like Scots in terms of loyalty to family and clan as opposed to the government. It took forever for the UK to bring the Scottish clans under control, sometimes using techniques that I can't personally agree with (confiscation of tartans, bagpipes, etc.).

[Fab1969]

9. Let's not forget Uncle Sam help to the Sicilian Mafia during WWII

when the Sicilian Mafia was at its weakest point, Uncle Sam though well of giving them life support making a dirty deal during WWII.

[TR Fan]

7. Di Canio has a history

of odd, borderline physhopathic, behaviour. A few years back he was suspended for 11 games while playing for Sheffield Wednesday for shoving a referee down to the ground.

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.