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.