Di Canio calls police after altercation with 'Southampton fans'
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Sunderland boss Paolo Di Canio calls police after altercation with Southampton fans at hotel before game
Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio was forced to call the police after he was confronted by fans before his sides match with Southampton at the weekend.
There had been reports of a mass brawl at the Solent Hotel & Spa in Whiteley in the early hours of Saturday, but the Black Cats manager later clarified there wasnt a fight but said the Sunderland management team did have to call the authorities to cool things down.
We have to clarify because I dont want speculation, big headlines, Di Canio said.
I always says the truth so you write what I am telling you. At midnight, we walked out from a meeting room with my staff.
From the first floor we walked downstairs to take the lift to the third floor for bed. Obviously, the players went to bed at 10 oclock.
He then said when they were near the lift they heard young and drunk guys, who he suspected to be Southampton fans, shouting obscenities.
I was screaming from behind the staff and we tried to push the third floor button and they tried to stop us, he added.
We tried to push them away and they started to open the door so we said now we call the police. They didnt try to punch us in a clear way but they moved their hands and we stopped them.
The controversial Italian coach added the night finished on a humorous note when they shared a joke with the men they had had an altercation with.
Sunderland ended up drawing 1-1 with Southampton at St Marys.
Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio was forced to call the police after he was confronted by fans before his sides match with Southampton at the weekend.
There had been reports of a mass brawl at the Solent Hotel & Spa in Whiteley in the early hours of Saturday, but the Black Cats manager later clarified there wasnt a fight but said the Sunderland management team did have to call the authorities to cool things down.
We have to clarify because I dont want speculation, big headlines, Di Canio said.
I always says the truth so you write what I am telling you. At midnight, we walked out from a meeting room with my staff.
From the first floor we walked downstairs to take the lift to the third floor for bed. Obviously, the players went to bed at 10 oclock.
He then said when they were near the lift they heard young and drunk guys, who he suspected to be Southampton fans, shouting obscenities.
I was screaming from behind the staff and we tried to push the third floor button and they tried to stop us, he added.
We tried to push them away and they started to open the door so we said now we call the police. They didnt try to punch us in a clear way but they moved their hands and we stopped them.
The controversial Italian coach added the night finished on a humorous note when they shared a joke with the men they had had an altercation with.
Sunderland ended up drawing 1-1 with Southampton at St Marys.
