Di Canio's hand of mod(esty)

  • by Staff Writer
  • Monday, 18th December 2000

Okay - it's an awful headline, We know. But Paulo Di Canio has finally spoken out after his act of sportsmanship against Everton on Saturday which has earned the Italian praise from all corners of the footballing globe.

Di Canio, who probably cost his team two points for the generous act modestly claimed last night that he didn't really understand what all the fuss was about.

"Just as I did not expect to be branded a psychopath when I pushed over (referee) Paul Alcock, I did not expect the praise I am getting now," he said.

'I saw the goalkeeper doubled over. I saw his knee twisted in the wrong direction. With outfield players it is different, we occasionally have a fall. But I guess he is heavier and got his studs caught in the pitch.

'I could hear him screaming in pain and I understood right away it was serious. That is why I was yelling at Trevor Sinclair to stop so Paul could get some medical attention.

"'It seemed like the right thing to do but I didn't really think about it. A serious injury to any professional is far worse than losing two points. Would I have scored? You can't say for sure, but without the goalkeeper and a big, wide open goal, I'm sure I'd have had a good chance."

Di Canio has been praised worldwide for his act. In Italy the sporting press have hailed him as a 'great ambassador for Italian football'.

Everton player Steve Watson was also glowing in his praise for Di Canio. "I was the nearest to Di Canio and was as surprised as anyone," he said. "It was a nice moment for football and a great gesture by an opponent."

Fans of the Merseyside club have also been in touch with us to praise Di Canio's actions.

"I'm an Everton fan who has just come from the game today at Goodison," one told us on Saturday night.

"I just wanted to say that Di Canio's sportsmanship was outstanding. He could have easily scored in the last seconds of the game and the fact that he didn't is a credit to him, your club and the sport. Well done - lesser sportsman wouldn't have done the right thing."

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