( CNN ) -- The man who once indignantly remarked , `` I 'm a fascist , not a racist , '' has publicly disavowed his past far-right statements after the storm of controversy that has followed his appointment as manager of an English Premier League soccer team . Sunderland 's decision to hire Paolo Di Canio at the weekend has left the club and the Italian facing a barrage of questions about his past , when he has admitted being `` fascinated '' by his country 's former dictator Benito Mussolini . He even has tattoos of fascist emblems . His new club 's vice-chairman , prominent politician David Miliband , stepped down as soon as the announcement was made . At first Di Canio refused to respond , saying he would only talk about football-related matters . However , following widespread media pressure , protests from local war veterans , anti-racism groups , a leading church member from England 's north-east region whose mother was a Jewish refugee , and several anti-Di Canio Facebook pages , the 44-year-old has released a statement to clarify his beliefs . `` I feel that I should not have to continually justify myself to people who do not understand this , however I will say one thing only -- I am not the man that some people like to portray , '' Di Canio said in a statement on Sunderland 's website on Wednesday . `` I am not political , I do not affiliate myself to any organization , I am not a racist and I do not support the ideology of fascism . I respect everyone . '' Di Canio was once a member of a hardcore right-wing fan group that follows his hometown team Lazio -- the club where he started his career and later got into trouble when he returned , when he made straight-arm salutes to the crowd in 2005 . At the time he was praised by members of Mussolini 's family , but the football authorities fined him and suspended him for one match . Lazio , meanwhile , has been charged four times this season over the racist behavior of its fans . The decision by Sunderland 's American owner Ellis Short to hire a man with such a controversial past was seen by many as being at odds with the club 's strong family values . Its work with children in the community helped secure a sponsorship deal with the `` Invest in Africa '' group and also led to a partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation . Both have said that Di Canio 's appointment will not affect their relationship with Sunderland , while several fan groups told CNN Tuesday that they supported his arrival . `` It is a football-related matter and under the remit of the club , '' an Invest in Africa spokesman told the UK Press Association . The Mandela charity , whose partnership was publicly launched at a high-profile home match against Manchester United on Saturday , met with Di Canio and club officials on Monday . `` At the heart of the partnership is a commitment to our Founder 's values with a special focus on human rights and anti-racism , '' it said in a statement Tuesday . `` At the meeting on Monday , Sunderland reaffirmed its commitment to these values and the ethos of the partnership . '' Di Canio is now hoping to focus on the task of keeping Sunderland in the top division , in what is only his second managerial role after less than two years at Swindon -- a club he took from the fourth tier of the English game to the third before quitting over its financial problems . His new team is just one point above the relegation zone with seven games to play ahead of his first match in charge -- Sunday 's trip to fourth-placed Chelsea . `` I have clearly stated that I do not wish to speak about matters other than football , however , I have been deeply hurt by the attacks on the football club , '' he said Wednesday . `` This is a historic , proud and ethical club and to read and hear some of the vicious and personal accusations is painful . I am an honest man , my values and principles come from my family and my upbringing . `` Now I will speak only of football . ''
English soccer Sunderland 's new manager issues statement denying he has fascist views . Paolo Di Canio had initially refused to talk about his past statements . His appointment has sparked a barrage of widespread criticism . However , Sunderland 's key players have refused to condemn his arrival .