TACKLING FASCISM AT FOOTBALL Football News November 15th 2000 Di Canio on the right wing "Perhaps precisely because I am right wing, I am fascinated by Benito Mussolini. Remember those mobile phone advertisements where they asked people who they most would like to have a one-to-one with? Ian Wright picked Dr. Martin Luther King, my choice would have been Mussolini." Paolo Di Canio writing in his autobiography. October 30th 2000 Lazio, Di Canio and Il Duce. Racism at football grounds has hit the headlines again - but this time its hard to blame the inadequacies of the 'Kick It Out' campaign. The incident in question happened during the recent European Champions League game between Lazio and Arsenal - the racism was directed from one highly paid professional to another in a game televised live throughout Europe. Lazio player Sinisa Mihajlovic was fingered by Arsenal's Patrick Viera for making comments such as "fucking black monkey" - comments that Mihajlovic admitted and put down to the usual 'heat of the moment'. Judging by the Lazio Ultras' history of overt links with fascist groups and propensity to flaunt banners proclaiming this, it seems that these views aren't confined to the supporters but are endorsed by some of the players. Enter the FA - professional hand-wringers that they are, proclaiming their Italian counterparts should introduce sanctions against not only Mihajlovic but also the sizeable racist section of the Lazio support (perhaps arrest them en masse?) On Wednesday 25th October Mihajlovic made a public apology before a game - AFA sources at the ground say the reaction from the Lazio supporters was mixed. It would be good to see the sections of the crowd who applauded him take action in the same tradition that Celtic Fans Against Fascism have in the past - a fan based solution. Meanwhile the FA should concentrate on trying to get their own house in order - for example our man in Paris said the racism expressed by the England followers at the recent France v England friendly was the worst he'd ever heard. As for Lazio, after having read Paulo Di Canio's autobiography and his love of Mussolini, let's hope he isn't asked to broker between 'establishment anti-racism' and the Ultras. October 9th 2000 New issue of TAL available Issue 27 of the anti-fascist Celtic fanzine 'Tiocfaidh Ar La' is now out. With articles on the Hillsborough Justice Campaign, Johnny 'Mad Dog' Adair, the Easton Cowboys, sectarian attacks and of course football, it is well worth reading. Available from TAL Books, BM Box 266, London, WC1N 3XX. It only costs £1 for 28 action-packed pages; cheques should be made payable to 'TAL'. _______________________________________________ Leninist-International mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] To change your options or unsubscribe go to: http://lists.wwpublish.com/mailman/listinfo/leninist-international
