Co-hosts play down violence fears

Poland and the Ukraine have denounced allegations of racism and mob violence at their stadiums and assured foreign footballers and fans last night that they would be safe during Euro 2012.

The joint hosts moved to play down a BBC Panorama investigative programme on soccer violence filmed in their countries.

Monday’s programme contained footage of fans giving Nazi salutes, taunting black players with monkey noises, anti-Semitic chants and a group of Asian students being attacked at the Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv, one of the four Ukrainian cities which will be hosting matches.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said: “Nobody who comes to Poland will be in any danger because of his race. This is not our custom, as is not pointing out similar incidents in other countries, although we know they take place. In Poland, they’re a rarity,” he insisted.

In Kiev, Ukraine’s foreign ministry spokesman Oleh Voloshyn went further, saying the allegations were a “dreamed up and mythical problem”.

Ukrainian authorities were particularly stung by comments by former England international Sol Campbell who, in the Panorama programme, warned England fans not to travel to Euro 2012 because of the threat of racism and violence. Campbell, who played 73 times for England and appeared at six major tournaments, said: “Stay at home, watch it on TV. Don’t even risk it ... because you could end up coming back in a coffin.”

Meanwhile Croatia manager Slaven Bilic expects the European finals to be a celebration of attacking football, but he also thinks that Croatia’s destiny hangs on the opening game against Ireland on June 10.

“If we leave aside Spain, who are favourites for the title, then Italy and Croatia are playing for second place. Today we have a team with a lot of talent, that is preparing to peak in a few years time. But we’re already competitive as we showed in the play-offs when we won 3-0 in Turkey.

“I won’t be forgetting about Ireland. Our first match, against the legendary [Giovanni] Trapattoni, is the most important piece of our campaign to reach the quarter-finals. Ireland are tough and can create problems.”