A number of groups considering their links with the club.
Check in to Chelsea vs Sunderland
The controversy surrounding the appointment of Paolo Di Canio as Sunderland manager is showing no signs of disappearing according to The Telegraph.
The club have been criticised for the appointment of the Italian as their new manager with many questioning whether Di Canio’s political beliefs make him suitable for the job.
Di Canio has previously claimed that he is a fascist but not a racist and found himself criticised during his time with Italian club Lazio when he made a straight-armed salute to the club’s fans.
The gesture is thought to carry connotations to Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy and a Greek youngster was recently banned from the national team for life after making a similar gesture to AEK Athens supporters.
Former Labour MP David Miliband has resigned from the Sunderland board over the issue and it now appears a host of other groups are considering their future relations with the club.
The Durham Miners’ Association have asked the club to remove their banner which is permanently situated inside the Stadium of Light.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation has now also requested a meeting with club officials before deciding whether they will continue to work with the club.
Di Canio has refused to answer questions regarding his political beliefs and insists they will have no bearing on how he manages the club.