Those Charming Italian Soccer Fans

Over the weekend, Italian soccer player Paolo Di Canio, upon being taken out of a game for his team Lazio, raised his right arm in an apparent Fascist salute. "I will always salute as I did yesterday because it gives me a sense of belonging to my people," Di Canio said. But that's the least of it. From the AP story:

The game featured teams whose fans have opposing political allegiances: Lazio fans waved swastika flags while Livorno fans had red Communist flags. Clashes between Livorno fans and police were reported outside the stadium before the game, with one officer slightly injured.

Wait ... fans were waving swastika flags? Whaa? Tell us again, Steven Wells, how Americans sports are worse than European soccer fans again?

Italian Player Accused of Fascist Salute [Yahoo News] Our Sport Kicks Your Sport's Ass [Deadspin]