Di Canio banned again for fascist salute

Lazio's Paolo Di Canio has been banned for one game and fined 10,000 euros for the raised-arm salute he made during his side's 2-1 defeat by Livorno in December, the Italian Football League's disciplinary committee announced.

It is the second time in little more than a month that the 37-year-old striker has been punished in this way, following an identical salute at the end of Lazio's 1-1 draw with Juventus, also in December.

The ban means he will miss the match against Treviso on Sunday.

Di Canio was criticised by politicians, players, fans and Jewish groups after he ran out under the visiting fans' stand to make the salute at the end of the game in Livorno.

At the time Di Canio was unrepentant, insisting the gesture was not intended as a political statement and that he would continue to salute in any way he liked.

Since then, however, he has backtracked. Lazio's fans have been more forgiving of their favourite son. As well as being their most famous player, Di Canio is a lifelong Lazio supporter and travelled with the club's "ultras" as a teenager.

Coppa Italia Qfs

Lazio 1
Inter 1
(Second leg - Feb. 2)

Today - Udinese vs Sampdoria (6 p.m. - return leg Feb. 1); Milan vs Palermo (9 p.m. - Jan. 31).

Tomorrow - Juventus vs Roma (9 p.m. - Feb. 1).