West Ham legend Paolo di Canio has defended himself over his sacking by Sky Italia earlier this season.

He was sacked as a pundit in September last year after his bicep tattoo, a tribute to 'Il Duce' was visible on TV.

“It was still summer, I was wearing a polo shirt," Di Canio said in an interview with Corriere della Sera.

“We had to shoot a promo video. If I'd been wearing a suit then this whole thing would never have happened. That's life.

“When it happened? I felt wounded pride, I didn't even know what social networks were. I felt like a leper. I got on the first Frecciarossa to Rome.

“There were no seats, I told the guard that I was paying the maximum fare and yet I was standing just to go home. I wondered what I'd done to deserve such a thing.

“The young Di Canio would have reacted differently, but now I'm almost 50. I've learned to put myself in the other person's shoes, to reason with them.

“There are many people who have the right to be offended by the display - however unintentional - of these tattoos. And a big company like Sky has the right to not be associated with symbols they don't share.

“It wasn't my choice though, and I'm still paying the consequences today."