Mourinho rues Real's lack of goals

(CNN) -- As Lionel Messi set yet another record, scoring in his 19th successive league match for Barcelona, Jose Mourinho was left reflecting on the reasons why his Real Madrid team have been also-rans in La Liga this season.

"We are not scoring many goals, that is the truth. Perhaps one of the differences compared to last season," Mourinho told reporters after Saturday's 1-1 draw with Zaragoza left his side 13 points behind Barca.

"In four chances we'd score three; in six, four, etc. We scored goals with great ease and the only player that has kept a similar average is Cristiano, all the others have dropped in terms of the number of goals scored and obviously the team suffers because of that."

Cristiano Ronaldo has netted 28 of Real's 72 goals from 29 Spanish league games -- the second highest behind Barca's 90, of which 43 have come from Messi including 29 in this 19-match streak.

Read: Messi makes more history in Barca draw

Last season Real posted a record 121 from 38 matches, earning an unprecedented 100 points on the way to winning the title, but like Barcelona suffered heartbreak in European football's biggest competition with a semifinal exit in the Champions League.

Mourinho said Real's realistic goals for this season are now the Spanish Cup and an attempt to win the club's first European title since 2002, and 10th overall.

His players have scored 18 times in eight games in the tournament this season, edging past Manchester United in the last 16.

"The goals will come. If they don't come on Wednesday we hope that they come in the next match," he said ahead of the first leg of the quarterfinal clash with Turkish club Galatasaray in Madrid.

Mourinho said that goalkeeper Iker Casillas was unlikely to be in the squad despite Spain's World Cup-winning captain having recovered from injury.

"I don't think he'll be there on Wednesday. One more week. I think he'll be in the squad for the match against Levante," Mourinho said.

"I can never say that a player is going to be in the starting XI from now until the end of the season. Diego Lopez has played an important role, he has helped the team because he has saved goals.

"And playing as he has been since joining our side, in difficult matches such as that against Manchester or Barcelona, in football we have to be honest with ourselves and our players, and following that line, it is very hard to take him out of goal."

Barcelona will be boosted for Tuesday's Champions League trip to Paris Saint-Germain by the return to fitness of key midfielder Xavi and attacking fullback Jordi Alba.

Both trained alongside coach Tito Vilanova, who ran just his second session since returning from cancer treatment in New York.

Vilanova missed Saturday's 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo, in which Messi became the first player to score against every team in the league in successive matches.

Eric Abidal, who was named in the squad against Celta for the first time since his liver transplant, is also traveling to France on Monday.

Meanwhile, Real stayed second in La Liga after city rival Atletico drew 1-1 with Valencia on Sunday.

Visiting Valencia took the lead in the first half through Jonas, but Atletico's top scorer Radamel Falcao immediately replied with his 22nd in La Liga this season from Arda Turan's cross.

Fourth-placed Real Sociedad also drew, 2-2 at Espanyol -- whose defender Javi Lopez conceded an own-goal for the equalizer with 14 minutes left.

Via: Mourinho rues Real's lack of goals

How Africa lured Sunderland

(CNN) -- While all eyes are on Nelson Mandela's health, the former South African leader's legacy is gaining ground in an unlikely place.

On Saturday, at a soccer stadium in the north-east of England, the 94-year-old's messages of peace and equality will be given center stage during a Premier League match involving one of the world's biggest clubs.

However, it is not Manchester United that will be promoting its own "Mandela Day" and lending its efforts to the anti-racism campaign gathering force around Europe -- but rather its host Sunderland, a team battling to keep its place in the English top flight, and one that is committed to making an impact in one of football's emerging markets.

Mike Farnan was one of the directors responsible for spearheading United's drive into China and South-East Asia in the late 1990s, and now he is guiding one of the EPL's less glamorous teams into a region that is actively seeking investment -- Africa.

Read: Mandela recovering in hospital

"There's so many similarities -- a growing economy, new wealth forming, the people love football," he told CNN ahead of a match which will be the club's first big public statement about its work with Mandela's foundation.

While governing bodies, football associations and clubs search for an effective response to the problem of racism, Sunderland is pursuing a more active approach.

Television viewers around the world, including an estimated 1.2 billion in Africa who watch EPL games, will see Mandela's messages on a big screen that would otherwise show commercials. There will be TV commentary in Swahili, Farnan said.

Players will warm up in Nelson Mandela Foundation t-shirts, its flag will be displayed by the pitch and drummers from Burundi will entertain the crowd, who will be asked to donate to the South African charity.

On the surface it may seem like an advertising gimmick, but Farnan says Sunderland is serious about its involvement with Mandela's group and about its relationship with Africa.

Read: Human traffic - Africa's lost boys

"We have links with academies in Canada and the Caribbean but nothing like this. This is a first. Our whole focus is now Africa," the club's marketing director said.

It happened almost by chance.

Having been approached in 2011 by the "Invest in Africa" initiative started by the Tullow Oil company, which was impressed by Sunderland's Foundation of Light program for kids in the community, a two-year shirt sponsorship deal followed last June.

"It opened our eyes to this huge continent who's screaming out, 'We love football, we love the Premier League,' " Farnan said.

It led to further interest from African businesses, and link-ups with clubs in Ghana, South Africa and Tanzania.

"The Mandela conversations took place following that," Farnan said. "We had read about the foundation and legacy program. What made us contact them was that this whole racism problem started popping its head up again in European football and it was unhealthy.

Read: FIFA investigates player with 'four birthdays'

"Of course, Nelson Mandela is the torchbearer of equality and racism issues, and we felt that as a club working in Africa would it not be an idea to see if there was anything we could do, utilize him and support him in that message."

Before deciding on the partnership, its first with a major sporting organization, Mandela's foundation staff visited Sunderland to see its community program, which works with more than 40,000 young people and their families each year.

It plays a vital role in a region which has been hit hard in recent decades by economic recession and the demise of its coal mining and shipbuilding industries.

Sunderland's present stadium is actually situated on the former site of the region's last coal mine. Now owned by American billionaire Ellis Short, the club -- formed by school teachers back in 1879 -- is a focal point for the locals.

"They are the most genuine, down-to-earth folk that you'll ever meet in the UK. I'm an outsider who's come in but I feel it's a very friendly community," said Farnan, an Irishman. "If you play for the club you're a hero to them."

Read: Using Facebook to 'bounty-hunt' lost players

Sunderland's links with "Madiba" go further than his foundation -- Farnan recently discovered that one of the club's fans was an activist with the African National Congress when Mandela was in prison.

"He ended up becoming a UN supervisor when Mandela got out and was actually at the stadium when he was released (in 1990). It's an amazing story," Farnan said.

Beyond promoting Mandela's key legacy objectives, Sunderland can also expect to do significant business, according to Tullow Oil's chief executive Aidan Heavy.

"Sunderland will become the Premier League club in Africa," Heavy said when the shirt sponsorship deal was announced.

"Everybody will be wearing the Sunderland shirt, every kid in every school will want a Sunderland shirt which says 'Invest in Africa,' believe me. It will be the number one club."

That sounds fanciful given the popularity of top EPL clubs such as Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal, who have all fielded top African players, but Farnan has high hopes.

"If you've got Africa written on your shirt and you're promoting the continent and you're in the Premier League, definitely without question it highlights you," he said.

"The Premier League, as an entity, is almost bigger than Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea -- every team involved down to the lowest fan base, they get massive exposure. People are aware of who they are.

"A few years back people might not have known about Wigan -- now everyone knows that there is a Wigan and they play Manchester United twice a year."

Read: In rural Africa, soccer lovers craft joy

Sunderland's own profile has been raised by the presence of prominent British politician David Miliband on its board, where he is vice-chairman.

Miliband plans to continue his role at the club despite deciding to move to the United States, where he will work for the International Rescue Committee -- a humanitarian relief and development organization.

Miliband, a former foreign secretary in Britain's previous Labour government, played a key role in establishing Sunderland's African interests.

"He was out at the foundation last week in South Africa talking to over a hundred leading personalities in Africa about how we will support the program," Farnan said.

Sunderland will undertake a preseason tour of South Africa in July, based around Mandela's birthday on the 18th of that month, and Farnan said the players would be actively involved with the foundation's programs -- which the club has agreed to support for the next three years.

"I'm over there almost every month now in parts of Africa," Farnan said.

"People want to talk to us, they are genuinely interested in the fact that we've linked with football clubs. We've got fulltime staff working in Africa, we're proactive, we're not just going out for a preseason tour and disappearing."

Via: How Africa lured Sunderland

Beckham reveals PSG 'sacrifice'

(CNN) -- He may be one of the most famous faces on the planet and earning in excess of $46 million a year, according to France Football magazine, but David Beckham admits he does not have it all.

In an interview with CNN, the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder has spoken of the daily anguish he suffers while living in France.

For the former England captain, preparing for Tuesday's glamour Champions League quarterfinal clash with Barcelona, is finding it hard to be apart from his wife Victoria and their four children, all of whom are now based in London.

Beckham to donate PSG wages to charity

He may be living in one of Paris' finest hotels, occupying a suite at Le Bristol that features marble bathrooms and one of the world's best chefs and costs thousands of dollars per night, but Beckham says he has an even higher price to pay by staying in the French capital.

"That's the sacrifice I have to make as a father and as a husband: being away from my family," he told CNN.

"It is only for a short time, but it's difficult being away from the children every single day. But they understand it. They understand that Daddy works hard."

Beckham says that his eldest child, 14-year-old Brooklyn, is also beginning to understand the limitations of having one of the world's biggest celebrities as a father.

"My eldest now is at the age where he wants to do things and go to places, and we have to hold him back," said the recently appointed ambassador for Chinese football.

"You have to explain to him that there are certain things that he can't do. But to be honest, we let our children do 99% of the things they want to do, because we want them to lead a normal life."

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star joined the French side in January, and although the original deal was for five months only, PSG President Nasser Al-Khelafi told French daily L'Equipe on Monday that he is keen to retain Beckham's services for next season as well.

The club's Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti has also indicated a desire to retain Beckham, who makes the short flight home to the city of his birth on a regular basis to spend time with his kids, who go to school in the English capital.

Such overtures may leave Beckham with a difficult decision to make when his deal expires in May, but with his wife keen to settle back in London after nearly a decade away -- following stays in Spain and LA Galaxy in the United States -- and the footballer saying he will never play for any English club other than Manchester United, the proximity of Paris may well be his best option.

And there's no denying that the 1999 Champions League winner is relishing his return to the limelight of European football's finest competition in the twilight of his career.

"To be asked to come and play here was obviously an honor and something that I was excited about. They have big plans at the club, and rightly so," said a man who has made six PSG appearances, all but two of which have come as a substitute.

Beckham becomes new face of Chinese football

"Paris is an amazing city, amazing culture. The club has not been around for many years, and the success that they want to achieve is doable."

Founded in 1970, PSG faces one of the biggest nights in its history when hosting four-time European champions Barcelona, who last won the Champions League in 2011, on Tuesday.

With Lionel Messi continually making his case to be regarded as the greatest player in history and coach Tito Vilanova having returned after cancer treatment in New York, knocking Barcelona out of the Champions League would be one of the biggest achievements for a club that has never been crowned the kings of Europe.

"Without doubt, they are one of the best teams ever," said Beckham, who played for Barca's great rivals Real Madrid between 2003 and 2007.

"They've got some of the best players individually and collectively, and I think that's what makes them the team they are. It's not about just Messi or Xavi; they have a unit that works together so well. That's why they've been successful over the years.

"They've got the best player in the world in their team (Messi), they've got committed players, and that's what makes them a special team.

"It's a huge test for us, a huge game for this club and for this city."

To date, the most important European trophy claimed by PSG is the now-defunct Cup Winners Cup, which the Parisians lifted in 1996, but the club's Qatari owners, who have spent heavily on Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Lucas Moura and Thiago Silva to name but a few, are hoping their massive injections of cash can change all that.

"Being part of a club that is looking to the future and looking to become a bigger success than they have in the last few years -- I wanted to be part of that," said Beckham of his decision to join PSG, which has two solitary league titles (1986, 1994).

And a man who has played at three World Cups for England has not ruled out adding to his 115 caps, a tally no other outfield player in the long history of the 1966 world champions can beat.

"One of the reasons why I've never retired from the England team is because if there's ever an opportunity to play for them again, then I'm available," he said.

"If there is any chance of me ever playing for my country again, I would never turn that down.

"I'm almost 38 years old, so the chances are very slight, but you never know," said a man approaching middle age but whose childhood dreams remain strong.

Via: Beckham reveals PSG 'sacrifice'

Bayern crush Hamburg in 9-goal rout

(CNN) -- Bayern Munich will have to wait another week to wrap up the Bundesliga title, but they put in a champion's performance on Saturday thrashing Hamburg 9-2 at the Allianz Arena.

The Bavarians have meted out some humbling defeats to their league opponents this season, but this goal-fest topped the lot.

Hamburg's misery started in the fifth minute when Swiss midfielder Kherdan Shaqiri netted with Bastain Schweinsteiger doubling the lead 14 minutes later.

Peruvian striker Claudio Pizarro scored a third in the 31st minute before Arjen Robben added a fourth two minutes later.

Pizarro scored his second and Bayern's fifth moments before the break and completed his hat-trick eight minutes into the second half.

Robben fired home number seven in the 54th minute before Pizarro claimed his fourth of the evening with just 68 minutes on the clock.

A Jeffrey Bruma header saw Hamburg get on the score sheet with a quarter-of-an-hour remaining, before substitute Franck Ribery swept home a ninth shortly after the restart.

Heiko Westermann doubled Hamburg's tally late on, but it couldn't disguise what was a humiliating defeat at the hands of the Jupp Heynckes' side, who will be crowned champions of Germany for a 23rd time if they get a point at Frankfurt next weekend.

For now, Bayern's thoughts will turn to Tuesday's Champions League clash with runaway Serie A leaders Juventus.

Earlier, reigning champions Borussia Dortmund consolidated second-place in the table with a 2-1 win away to Stuttgart ahead of their upcoming Champions League clash against Malaga.

Third place Leverkusen also won on Saturday overcoming Dusseldorf 4-1. Schalke were also comfortable 3-0 winners against Hoffenheim.

Mainz drew 1-1 with Werder Bremen while Freiburg were 2-0 winners against Monchengladbach. Hannover beat relegation-threatened Augsburg 2-0.

Via: Bayern crush Hamburg in 9-goal rout

Man Utd edge closer to title

(CNN) -- Manchester United extended their winning streak in the English Premier League to seven matches on Saturday beating Sunderland 1-0 at the Stadium of Light.

An own goal by Titus Bramble in the 27th minute -- deflecting Robin van Persie's shot past Sunderland keeper Simon Mignolet -- ensured all three points for United and maintains their 15 point-lead at the top of the table with only eight games remaining.

Read: Nelson Mandela's legacy: How soccer club fell for Africa

Manchester City made sure they didn't lose any ground on their local rivals as they dispatched Newcastle United 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium.

Carlos Tevez and David Silva struck in the first half with Vincent Kompany and an own goal by Newcastle defender James Perch completing a resounding victory for Robert Mancini's team.

Arsenal were also convincing 4-1 winners against Reading at the Emirates.

Gervinho opened the scoring for the Gunners in the 11th minute, with goals from Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud consolidating the lead in the second half.

Reading, watched by new coach Nigel Adkins, pulled one back in the 68th minute through Hal Robson-Kanu, but any hopes of mounting a comeback were dashed nine minutes later as Mikel Arteta slotted home from the penalty spot.

Tottenham Hotspur leapfrogged west London rivals Chelsea to move up to third in the table after a 2-1 win away to Swansea City -- first half goals from Jan Vertonghen and Gareth Bale improving Spurs' chances of Champions League football next season.

Chelsea slumped to a third league defeat in six games losing 2-1 away to Southampton.

Elsewhere, West Ham United beat West Bromwich Albion 3-1 and relegation-threatened Wigan secured a valuable three points with a 1-0 win against Norwich.

Via: Man Utd edge closer to title

Rogers' retirement prompts rethink

(CNN) -- The body that represents England's professional footballers says it still has work to do to enable gay footballers to come out while still playing the game.

Bobby Barnes, the Deputy Chief Executive of the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA), was speaking after Robbie Rogers, who quit the sport on the day he revealed his homosexuality last month, said it was "impossible to come out" while still playing.

In his first media interview since, Rogers -- a former United States international who was playing in the English football league earlier this season -- admitted concerns about how both the dressing room and fans would react to news of an openly gay player.

Read: U.S. soccer star comes out as gay

Having played for third tier Stevenage on loan earlier this season, the 25-year-old was released by parent club Leeds United in January, days before retiring from football when coming out through his personal website on February 18.

"I think the PFA -- along with all the stakeholders -- have a responsibility to perhaps redouble our efforts if players do not feel that enough is being done," Barnes told CNN.com.

"I think football has tried hard to create an environment where there is a supportive network around a player should he decide to come out as a gay."

Nonetheless, Rogers did not feel the environment was conducive to staying in the English game after his announcement and says he would have found it hard to come out at any global club -- after being asked whether he could have done so during a 2007-2011 stint with MLS side Columbus Crew.

"No. Not at any club -- anywhere," Rogers told England's The Guardian newspaper.

Rogers is only the second footballer in England to have come out, with Justin Fashanu -- the first 1 million black player in the country's football history -- having tragically committed suicide in 1998, eight years after revealing his sexuality while still a professional.

At present, Sweden-based Anton Hysen is the only openly gay footballer although other sportsmen have come out in different disciplines, such as Puerto Rican boxer Orlando Cruz, Welsh rugby player Gareth Thomas and English cricketer Steven Davies.

In a wide-ranging interview, Rogers revealed the internal strife he went through when trying to reconcile his love of playing football for a living with his desire to be honest with those closest to him.

View: Gallery of openly gay athletes

After Columbus Crew won the MLS Cup in 2008, what should have been a night of collaborative celebration for the winger -- who won 18 caps with the U.S. while also representing his nation at the 2008 Olympic Games -- turned to individual torment instead.

"We won that trophy in Los Angeles, in front of my family, with this amazing team. Afterwards we went to a bar and I was like, 'I should be so happy now...'," Rogers recalled.

"But I left after a few drinks and sat on my own in my room, thinking, 'OK. I'm gay. But I can't come out because I love football so much. What am I going to do?'"

"The more successful you become, the harder it is to step away."

Yet that is precisely what he did, despite being at an age where he had yet to reach his peak, with most footballers performing best in their late 20's.

Barnes, who believes that Rogers' revelation received a positive response all round, with "nothing negative", feels the American may have been pleasantly surprised had he felt empowered enough to continue in the game after his announcement.

"I don't think he tested the water as such -- in that he had already made his decision to quit when the announcement was made -- but I hope he would have found a much more supportive arena," he said.

"I think the attitude now is far more: 'A player is gay, so what?' We don't see it as a major issue and I do not believe players do either.

"The big concern, I feel, is the negativity that players might receive from the terraces."

Rogers, who says he was 14-15 when he realized he was gay and who sometimes dated girls as a cover for his sexuality, did have concerns about his teammates however, in addition to those about supporters.

"Maybe a lot of fans aren't homophobic. But, in a stadium, sometimes they want to destroy you," he said.

"I was very fearful how my teammates were going to react. Was it going to change them? Even though I'd still be the same person would it change the way they acted towards me -- when we were in the dressing room or the bus?"

Even if he has yet to hear from another gay footballer in the game, Rogers has been so inundated with support from fellow players and the public that he has mixed feelings on his future.

"About a month ago I would've thought: 'I don't want to be a spokesman for gay footballers.' I have so many different things I'm interested in.

"But after thousands of emails, I'm thinking, OK, how can I help others? How can I make some positive change? How am I going to reach young Robbie and tell him to be himself?

"He might not fit the gay or football stereotype. That's one thing I definitely want to do -- break some barriers and kill some stereotypes."

And most intriguingly, a man who is weighing up a career in fashion and who co-owns a clothing label (Halsey) is finding himself being seduced by an old flame -- his former profession itself.

"Football will always be part of me. I don't know if I'm done playing yet. I might ask [the coach] Bruce Arena if I can train with LA Galaxy -- we'll see. I miss it and think about it a lot.

"But I'm so happy now I don't want to mess with that. Football was my life and maybe I'll need to go back ... or maybe I'll just be a fan. But it's an industry where there are lots of problems -- from sketchy agents to homophobic culture."

Via: Rogers' retirement prompts rethink

More history for unstoppable Messi

(CNN) -- Lionel Messi scored his 19th consecutive league goal on Saturday setting another La Liga record as Barcelona drew 2-2 at relegation-threatened Celta Vigo.

The Argentine's 73rd minute strike -- his 29th in 19 league matches -- makes him the first player in the history of Spanish football to score against every other league opponent in succession.

"It is a unheard of record that no one has ever achieved. This shows how great this player is," said Barcelona assistant coach Jordi Roura.

Messi's second-half strike gave the Catalans the lead for the first time in the match, after they had gone behind to a Natxo Insa goal in the 38th minute.

The visitors were back on level terms five minutes later thanks to a Cristian Tello strike and when Messi slotted home with 17 minutes remaining Barcelona looked odds-on for all three points.

But the home side had other ideas and with two minutes remaining found an equalizer through Borja Oubina.

Real Madrid failed to capitalize on their rivals slip up, drawing 1-1 at Zaragoza.

Rodri put the home side ahead after six minutes with Cristiano Ronaldo equalizing in the 38th minute, before a stalemate ensued in the second half.

The result means Barcelona remain 13 points clear at the top. Atletico Madrid will move into second ahead of Real if they beat Valencia on Sunday.

Malaga warmed up for their Champions League clash with reigning German champions Borussia Dortmund with a 3-1 away to Rayo Vallecano.

Meanwhile in Serie A, Juventus remain on course for a second consecutive league title after beating Inter Milan 2-1 at the San Siro on Saturday.

The reigning champions were ahead after three minutes when Fabio Quagliarella's shot from the edge of the area found the back of the net.

Rodrigo Palacio equalized in the 54th minute, but the scores weren't level for long as Alessandro Matri grabbed the winner six minutes later.

The win maintains their nine-point lead at the top of the table over Napoli who were 5-3 winners at Torino.

Seventh-placed Inter now trail the leaders by 21 points and with much work to do if they are secure a place in the Champions League next season.

AC Milan consolidated third place with a 1-0 win at Cheivo as fourth-place Fiorentina lost 2-1 at Cagliari.

Lazio move up to fifth after a 2-1 against Catania, while Roma slip to sixth following a 2-0 defeat at relegation-threatened Palermo.

Via: More history for unstoppable Messi

'Fascist' appointment prompts ex-MP to quit

(CNN) -- It was announced a few hours before April Fool's Day, but the appointment of one of the most controversial characters in European football is no laughing matter for one English Premier League soccer club.

Sunderland's American owner Ellis Short hopes Paolo Di Canio can keep the struggling team in the top flight, but his vice-chairman -- former British MP David Miliband -- has already resigned his role in protest.

"In the light of the new manager's past political statements, I think it right to step down," the ex-foreign secretary said on his website following Sunday's news that Di Canio will replace the sacked Martin O'Neill on a two-and-a-half-year contract.

Miliband, who had intended to retain his role at Sunderland despite taking a new job with an international humanitarian organization based in New York, was referring to the Italian's right-wing leanings.

"I am a fascist, not a racist," Di Canio infamously told Italian news agency ANSA after making a straight-arm salute to the fans of his hometown club Lazio during a match against Rome rival Lazio in 2005.

Read: Mandela's legacy - How EPL team fell for Africa

He was later fined and suspended for one match by Italian football authorities after another so-called "Roman salute" during a match against Livorno.

A ex-member of Lazio's notorious hardcore fan group the "Irriducibili," Di Canio admitted in his autobiography that he is "fascinated" by Italy's former dictator Benito Mussolini, who enacted anti-Semitic laws and oversaw the deporting of thousands of Italian Jews to concentration and death camps.

Lazio has this season been charged four times with racist behavior by its fans.

Di Canio's politics seem to come in stark conflict with Sunderland's recent attempts to establish itself in the African market.

Saturday's home match against Manchester United, a 1-0 defeat that proved to be O'Neill's last in charge, marked the start of a collaboration with the foundation of Nelson Mandela.

Read: Greek player banned for fascist salute

The former South African leader's messages of peace and equality will be promoted for the next three years, Sunderland's marketing director Mike Farnan told CNN on Friday. Miliband had a key role in the club's African push, Farnan said.

Di Canio is not a man who has a history of peace -- as a player he was banned for 11 matches for pushing over a referee while at English club Sheffield Wednesday in 1998.

His only previous managerial job, at English third division club Swindon, ended in February when the 44-year-old quit due to the club's financial problems.

He had previously been in charge of Italy's under-21 national team, but his arrival at Swindon in May 2011 prompted one of the club's main sponsors -- the GMB trade union -- to withdraw its backing due to his political views.

Read: Meet Italy's proud football racists

Di Canio did lead Swindon out of England's bottom division, and after he quit said he was ready for a top job in a country where he was widely recognized as one of the most talented players of his era during spells with West Ham and Sheffield Wednesday.

"Paolo is hugely enthused by the challenge that lies ahead of him," Short said on Sunderland's website. "He is passionate, driven and raring to get started.

"The sole focus of everyone for the next seven games will be to ensure we gain enough points to maintain our top-flight status. I think that the chances of that are greatly increased with Paolo joining us."

Read: Contrasting fortunes for EPL's American club owners

Despite his controversies on and off the pitch, the charismatic Di Canio was popular with many fans of the clubs he played for.

In 2001 he was given FIFA's Fair Play Award for a "special act of good sportsmanship" while playing for West Ham, when he picked the ball up and refused to score as an opposing goalkeeper lay injured.

Having started his career with Lazio in 1985, he went on to play for top Serie A clubs Juventus, Napoli and AC Milan before a successful season in Scotland with Celtic earned him a move to England.

Via: 'Fascist' appointment prompts ex-MP to quit