Expressed Fascism

An incident that has got me a bit irked:

Paulo Di Canio of Lazio has been banned for one match (and fined) with Sepp Blatter threatening him with a possible life ban. This is thanks to the fact that he saluted the fans with a Mussolini type straight arm salute. This is the 3rd time that he's done the saluting act. Am not entirely sure what happened the previous two occasions. He defended his actions saying it makes him identify with his homeland.

I'm not quite a Nazi/fascist supporter nor will I ever support the ends they sought or the means used. But one thing that I am certain must be permitted is the freedom of expression. I believe in this even if it means that a fascist-at-heart be allowed to tell the world that he is proud to be one. And that's fair enough. As long as he doesn't stir the masses to supporting the cause of fascism or do something in the region himself, he ought to be permitted to express himself for who he is.

In a day and age when we are happy to accept gay marriages and transsexuals as a part of society, the least that the world should be ready to tolerate is a man who says what he feels, showcasing himself for who he really is, whoever that may be. This incident takes you back to the 60's and 70's in the US when 'communist' was a bad word and a simple accusation was enough to put someone in the dock for a long time.

How do prove that you aren't a communist? Don't most people encourage welfare schemes - for health, housing etc.? - That's a communist/socialist feature. Enough to put you behind bars, though.

Whatever has happened has happened, and I'm certain no one is going to be appealing the decision, but I hope there is a sufficient hue and cry if it is taken any further. I presume Di Canio will also refrain from repeating the act in the interests of his career (which at 39 is less and less of a concern).

I can relate to the Italian mindset to an extent in that they (or most of them) aren't exactly proud of their fascist past and don't want anyone telling the world that there are some who are. But the truth must be (and probably is) that the fascist ideology has obviously not just vapourised after WWII - that would be rather unrealistic to expect, regardless of however much they and the rest of the world dislike that. While it needn't be encouraged, those who have taken to it must be allowed the freedom to believe in it and consequently express their beliefs.