Football: That was the weekend that was: Di Canio not playing ball over Owls' cup

PAOLO DI CANIO'S reputation with Sheffield Wednesday fans is rapidly going from hero to zero. While the former Hillsborough idol was sitting out West Ham's win at Tottenham on Saturday, pondering a pounds 900 fine for a motoring offence committed back home in Italy, Wednesday were wondering whether he would return a piece of missing silverware.

Last year, the controversial striker was voted player of the year by the London Owls supporters' club, an award for which he received a silver trophy worth pounds 85.

The London Owls want the cup back before they name this season's recipient before the match against Liverpool in Sheffield on 8 May - but Di Canio made his acrimonious departure to West Ham, after a long spell in Italy suffering from depression, without returning it.

London Owls' secretary Paul Woolfson said the branch had been referred to an intermediary. He said: "We were told first that Paolo did not remember receiving the trophy, and then that he thought it was his to keep.

"But when the presentation was made, at the Villa game at Hillsborough last May, Paolo was made fully aware that he was supposed to return the silver cup.

"Obviously, all that spiel he came out with about how Wednesday fans were great means nothing now."