At the time, PDC said "It's a technical decision. He's not as good as I thought he was. It is nearly impossible he will see the football pitch at Swindon. My main players give me 110% because they've suffered with me all season. I have much better players than him in the way I want them to play and behave."
Well the FA are now investigating claims that Tehoue was racially abused by PDC. Tehoue originally complained to the club that Di Canio had made a racially abusive comment about him in front of Swindon players. The BBC were told :"Jonathan was very aggrieved by Di Canio's dismissive racist remark about him. His decision not to return to training was based purely and simply on the fact that he was not prepared to work for a manager who held such views. Swindon Town appreciated Jonathan's position on the matter and, despite the manager's insistence, decided against fining the player. Di Canio's subsequent attempts to tarnish Jonathan's reputation and ruin his future career opportunities with derogatory comments about his attitude and fitness in the press were completely unwarranted. With regards to his fitness, prior to joining Swindon, Jonathan had started the last three consecutive games for Leyton Orient and performed well at League One level. In addition, he was required to pass Swindon's own fitness assessment before signing, which he passed with no difficulties."
The club released this statement on 15th May, just two weeks before extending PDC's contract by two years.
"The board was fully appraised of the facts at the time of the alleged incident back in March and having investigated it, was satisfied that it was without merit and took appropriate action then. Paolo Di Canio denies completely any suggestion that he used toward Jonathan Tehoue or anyone, abusive, insulting or threatening words or behaviour by reference to race or at all and the board wishes to affirm its complete and unequivocal support for its manager in this regard. Further, the board is wholly satisfied that any decisions concerning Jonathan Tehoue's playing career whilst at Swindon, were made for purely footballing reasons. The club will of course however happily assist the FA in its enquiries"
However, the BBC then found this letter from PigHill's solicitor to Tehoue's Lawyer
"The club wishes to make it clear that it does not condone the reference
made by Mr Di Canio during training on 29 March to your client. The club accepts that the use of this phrase was inappropriate and
apologises to your client for any upset that this has caused him. An internal inquiry may result in disciplinary action being taken against Mr Di Canio. Mr Di Canio wishes to apologise for the comments, which he did not intend to cause offence by. This apology is hereby repeated and the club also regrets that the comment was made by Mr Di Canio."
