He made the speech before their match with Shakhtar on Wednesday and, credit where it's due, did it pretty well.

"I have never been nor will I ever be tempted by the disgusting idea of considering those who do not have the same colour skin as me or who follow another religion as different, worse or belonging to an inferior race."

What wasn't reported everywhere, and is more significant in our view, was the fact that he appealed to their racist fans to give it a rest too. "I am talking to any of you who boo whenever a black player touches the ball and who may feel justified to continue with such humiliating behaviour. "I call on all of you to stop once for and all these chants which put our club and our team in a negative light and stamp us all as racists. Club president Sergio Cragnotti is asking you to stop. ".

Whatever the cause for his turnaround (having called Vieira a "cry-baby" for complaining), you couldn't ask much more. Of course, some idiots won't listen. Adam wrote to let us know that some of their fans unfurled a banner at the match after the Arsenal game, saying "Your criticisms are our victories". Could refer to anything of course, but it certainly made my skin crawl.

See Sports.com for full quotes.

This was followed by rumours in today's papers that Vieira was to be invited to appear as a special guest star alongside Mihajlovic, in a Italian League team due to play a Rest-of-the-World team in a fieindly. Trouble is, as far as I can tell the match is on Sunday, and Paddy's busy this weekend. Still, nice gesture, if it was ever really made.

One Italian who isn't so supportive of Patrick is our old mate Paolo Di Canio. In one of his increasingly regular self-important rants to the press, the hysterical West Ham stiker has said that Vieira should have kept it to himself. "Stuff on the pitch should stay on the pitch", kind-of-thing. Di Canio has also been saying what a great bloke Mussolini was. Seems that Harry Redknapp's patience might be running out. Had to happen eventually.