Soccer: What does this warrior's salute really mean? (Italy)

International Herald Tribune ^ | Rob Hughes

[alessandrofiaschi]

Do the cameras tell us lies? Italian policemen, magistrates and soccer officials are examining images to determine whether Paolo Di Canio should face criminal charges for stirring old fascist leanings with his celebration of a victory for SS Lazio over AS Roma in the febrile Roman "derby" contest last Thursday.

The so-called Roman salute - stiff right arm and flat palm - that this appears to be was not, according to Di Canio and his agents, at all a political gesture, and certainly not intended as incitement to the known neo-fascist faction of hard-core Lazio fanatics in the north stand of the Olimpico Stadium.

"Paolo just wanted to celebrate with the fans," Moreno Roggi, the player's agent, insisted as the debate continued this week. "A photographer using a camera that takes 500 frames a minute just caught this moment in the celebration and made it look as if the right hand was held in that position."

To many in Italian society, Roggi defends the indefensible. There is television footage as well as still-frame photography of the "celebration." There is a polemic across the political strata as to the player's salute to his worshippers. There is a parliamentary debate on which is the more dangerous - to prosecute the captain and idol of Lazio or to allow what is perceived as a public exhibition of the outlawed Benito Mussolini fascist salute.

In the arena where sport and politics have such a dangerous legacy - at times literally murderous - quips like the one from a government official, Maurizio Gasparri, are ill-judged, "Poor lad," said Gasparri, the telecommunications minister, "Like all Lazio supporters, he is just not used to winning." (...)

[alessandrofiaschi]

I'm a supporter of S.S. Lazio, here in Italy, and I can't bear the hypocritic arguments of this (and many other) article. Di Canio is a professional football player and a champion. It's clear that his Roman salute, in the Roman "derby" contest, has not to be intended as incitement to the neo-fascist factions. IMO, the italian leftist magistrates should fight against real crimes, without pretending to a nugatory prestige.

[PokeyJoe]

[PokeyJoe]

When in Rome, do as the Romans. Salute Ceasar.

[alessandrofiaschi]

Ping.

[537cant be wrong]

rule #1 know your audiance.

looks like 1944 to me?

[Strategerist]

http://www.soccersucks.org/soccer_fascism.html

[alessandrofiaschi]

PAOLO THE GREAT

[pennyfarmer]

Someone cares??? Hell what a bunch of crap. Here in the States is the same crap. OHHHH he "pretended" to moon the crowd "What a disgrace". Quite frankly people who are sore losers are the bigest losers. Who would care if he gave the shocker (see collegehumordotcom) or the finger.

Sore winners are just entertaining but sore losers are annoying.

[paul51]

sure is an ugly sob

[narby]

Well, at the very great risk of being flamed. IMO facisim is not as horrible as made out to be, and socialisim is much worse than its made out to be. The WWII generation is almost gone. Give it a rest.

[the conservative bean]

people still watch soccer?

[StarFan]

Someone cares???

My sentiments exactly!

[FreedomCalls]

Members of the Fatah youth movement chant slogans during a rally for Palestinian presidential candidate Mahmoud Abbas at a hotel in the Jerusalem suburb of Beit Hanina, January 5, 2005. Palestinian fighters wounded 12 soldiers in a rocket attack on Israel Wednesday, defying calls for a cease-fire from Mahmoud Abbas, the frontrunner to succeed Yasser Arafat in an election Sunday. REUTERS/Ammar Awad

[Quinotto]

I am sorry but this shows lack of basic history. The Nazis STOLE the Roman salute used by the emperors and the empire's soldiers and its people to greet each other, by uttering AVE and raising up their palm. Due to the sick bastards (the Nazis), this old and wonderful tradition has become a sign of hate. You'd have to be Italian or at least know the Italian people to understand that the player had no intention to use the fascist salute (again, a Latin term "fascia") but used an old traditional salute from his heritage.

[alessandrofiaschi]

This photo means nothing. Sport is another thing.

[pennyfarmer]

Heck here in the states we used to have a Fascis on our dime. From 1916 to 1945 the mercury head dimes had Fascis on the back.

To quote a movie "I hate Illinois Nazies".

[pennyfarmer]

Exactly they stole many things that used to be thought of as good. The swastika used to be a peace symbol. I have found old rings metal detecting that have swastikas on them. I have heard that after the Nazies took power the swastika became a not so popular symbol to wear. The good thing is it is easy to date a spot if you find one of these.

[FreedomCalls]

This photo means nothing. Sport is another thing.

Sports and politics are closely intwined.

American Olympians John Carlos and Tommie Smith raise their black, gloved fists in protest of racism in America after receiving their Olympic medals in Mexico City in 1968.

[spinestein]

This "salute" means only one thing:

"I SCORED !!! YEAAAAAAAAHH !!!

Anyone who thinks there is anything more to this doesn't understand men.

[FreedomCalls]

Heck here in the states we used to have a Fascis on our dime. From 1916 to 1945 the mercury head dimes had Fascis on the back.

What are those things on either side of the Speaker of the House's chair in the House of Representatives?