Sky sacks Di Canio for Fascist tattoo (2)

(ANSA) - Rome, September 14 - Sky Sport on Wednesday sacked commentator Paolo Di Canio after he appeared in a short-sleeved T-shirt showing a tattoo honouring Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini. "We made a mistake and we apologise to all those whose sensibilities we offended," said Sky Sport Executive Vice President Jacques Raynaud after Mussolini's title DUX (Latin for 'leader') appeared on the bicep of the former West Ham and Lazio striker. "After speaking at length with Di Canio, despite his professionalism and footballing knowledge, we have together decided to break off collaboration". Di Canio, who got into hot water during his playing career for making stiff-armed salutes, has admitted in the past having Fascist leanings but has always stressed he is not a racist. The striker, who played briefly for Juventus at the start of his career, was fined by the international football federation FIFA twice in 2005 for giving the straight-arm salute used by Fascists. photo: Di Canio after Roman derby in 2005