Sol warns of Racism at Euros

[Old Master]

EURO 2012 organisers have invited former England captain Sol Campbell to attend the event, after he warned fans to stay away due to fears of racist attacks and violence in co-hosts Poland and Ukraine.

"Dear Sol, feel invited - feel like at home. In Poland, at our common Euro 2012. Get to know us as we really are," a statement from organisers PL.2012 read.

On Monday, the former Tottenham Hotspur and England defender told BBC TV that fans should not go to EURO 2012 amid fears about far-right gangs that have prompted the families of two black England footballers to stay away.

The families of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott say they won't risk going to Ukraine to watch England's matches after public warnings from the British government.

The foreign ministries of Denmark and France have also warned fans about the risk of racist attacks.

In the BBC documentary, some fans at matches in both Poland and Ukraine were seen making Nazi salutes and taunting black players with monkey chants.

It also uncovered anti-Semitism and a serious assault on a group of Asian students.

Organisers of the 2012 event, however, described the warnings as 'unjust' and said they had 'nothing to do with reality'.

"The problem of stadium pathologies, such as xenophobia or racism, is a problem specific to the whole of Europe and not only to Poland," they added.

In an apparent bid to pre-empt football-related violence, police in Poland on Monday arrested 42 people - including prominent members of football hooligan gangs - suspected of being involved in drug trafficking and extortion.

Since the fall of the Iron Curtain two decades ago, the far-right has found fertile ground among gangs of fans in Eastern Europe's football stadiums.

Monitors from the UEFA-backed Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network have recorded dozens of shocking far-right slogans at Ukrainian league matches and plan to deploy at EURO 2012 games.

But they said that the EURO 2012 spotlight has helped tackle the issue.

European football's governing body UEFA remains confident that Ukraine can ensure the safety of the 800,000 foreign fans expected at the tournament, which kicks off on 8 June in Poland.

[God is an Englishman]

sol sol wherever you may be
you're on the verge of lunacy
and we don't give a fuck when you're hanging from a tree
judas cunt with HIV!

never liked the bloke and has fucked around every club he's ever been at. Epitomoses all that is wrong with modern day football.

[Derek]

Great player and England legend!

[Derek]

And did you mean EPITOMISES??? I know how you love to correct others on their grammar.

[sephiroth]

call a whole country racist based on a few thousand fans at a football match?

[God is an Englishman]

And did you mean EPITOMISES??? I know how you love to correct others on their grammar.

I is next o, obvious mistake. It wouldn't even sound right.

[Old Master]

call a whole country racist based on a few thousand fans at a football match?

The world press has been doing that to England for decades - why didn't you complain then?



(Racist?)

[God is an Englishman]

call a whole country racist based on a few thousand fans at a football match?

The world press has been doing that to England for decades - why didn't you complain then?



(Racist?)

Yes, remember we're the biggest hooligans in the world and it doesn't happen in othjer countries. The Euro's in portugal was the greatest proof of this. germans/dutch start a fight with the England supporters, England react and it's England threatened with expulsion.

Heysels: italians go on rampage, English react, italians on pitch wielding poles etc.. All English games banned, one italian club get a few games behind closed doors.

[Mister Miyagi]

And did you mean EPITOMISES??? I know how you love to correct others on their grammar.

There was nothing wrong with his grammar.

[Swannsong's Rejects]

I just watched the beeb's Panaroma show on this, as usually taking it with a grain of salt.

[Old Master]

call a whole country racist based on a few thousand fans at a football match?

The world press has been doing that to England for decades - why didn't you complain then?



(Racist?)

Yes, remember we're the biggest hooligans in the world and it doesn't happen in othjer countries. The Euro's in portugal was the greatest proof of this. germans/dutch start a fight with the England supporters, England react and it's England threatened with expulsion.

Heysels: italians go on rampage, English react, italians on pitch wielding poles etc.. All English games banned, one italian club get a few games behind closed doors.

Nice to see we agree on something!

I see that there is 'no racist problem' in Poland according to UEFA - it's all the English fans fault!

[nathanburns15]

Set to be the lowest attended tournament in years by England. What criteria do they use when picking these host countries?

[Bomber]

Set to be the lowest attended tournament in years by England. What criteria do they use when picking these host countries?

They're scared of the Poles.

[Mister Miyagi]

Set to be the lowest attended tournament in years by England. What criteria do they use when picking these host countries?

Why would you expect a venue to be chosen by English fans alone?
I think any country that has qualified for the event in the past should be allowed to host it.

[Juventino]

Set to be the lowest attended tournament in years by England. What criteria do they use when picking these host countries?

[God is an Englishman]

Set to be the lowest attended tournament in years by England. What criteria do they use when picking these host countries?

Why would you expect a venue to be chosen by English fans alone?
I think any country that has qualified for the event in the past should be allowed to host it.

When it comes to football we should be allowed to host a tournament whenever we want to, after all we gave you the game. Every now and then we could allow a lesser country to do it.

[nathanburns15]

Set to be the lowest attended tournament in years by England. What criteria do they use when picking these host countries?

Why would you expect a venue to be chosen by English fans alone?
I think any country that has qualified for the event in the past should be allowed to host it.

I only know that facts regarding the attendance of England fans unfortunately. I am not suggesting that England should be allowed to 'pick' who hosts it.

Just a simple question; What criteria do they use when picking these host countries?

[Nice One Cyril]

Set to be the lowest attended tournament in years by England. What criteria do they use when picking these host countries?

Why would you expect a venue to be chosen by English fans alone?
I think any country that has qualified for the event in the past should be allowed to host it.

I only know that facts regarding the attendance of England fans unfortunately. I am not suggesting that England should be allowed to 'pick' who hosts it.

Just a simple question; What criteria do they use when picking these host countries?

Have to be in Europe

Although I'm not sure if Russia qualifies as European.

[God is an Englishman]

Have to be in Europe

Although I'm not sure if Russia qualifies as European.

Tukey and russia at least have part of their country in europe. Unlike israel and australia who do not play in their correct confederation

[ruud]

Holland had to move their training ground due to racist gorilla noises being made by polish fans yesterday against the black players...

you would think of all the countries in europe, that poland would understand suppression the most

[Bomber]

Holland had to move their training ground due to racist gorilla noises being made by polish fans yesterday against the black players...

you would think of all the countries in europe, that poland would understand suppression the most

Most jews have left though.

Sadly there are probably more neo-nazi types there than in Germany these days.

But saying that, the problem is not confined just to Poland. Happening in many parts of Europe.

[PASC]

Set to be the lowest attended tournament in years by England. What criteria do they use when picking these host countries?

No offence mate but nobody cares

[PASC]

I would like to point out that the issue of racism is not confined to Poland ..... im sure anyone with half a brain would know this.
The BBC has to stir the pot because the focus has been taken off the the olympics in London for a few weeks.
Or are they just pissed off that almost 2 million Polaks came along and took their jobs and sent their money back home ????

And who the hell are the English to judge anyone on racism and hooliganism anyway ???? bit bloody rich if u ask me lol
"aint no black in the union jack " comes to mind, and the recent street riots....
My mate at work is English, he's been here for six years, says he left because of all the "Pakies" LOL

In saying that nobody is denying that a small, and i mean small minority of uneducated, unemployed criminals who call themselves football fans have used the skinhead subculture and extrimist political views as an excuse and device to live out their meaningless lives in or around football stadiums. Well guess what? happens all over the world in one fom or another!

I have read reports that the organisers and government have done the upmost to restrain all these idiots from even being anywhere near a stadium. Most of them are on watch lists and are monitored even when there is no football on.

The perception of people being scared to go to Poland is ridiculous, Aussies still travel to Bali dont they???

[nathanburns15]

Set to be the lowest attended tournament in years by England. What criteria do they use when picking these host countries?

No offence mate but nobody cares

The point is, it is probably going to be the same for the majority of countries.

[God is an Englishman]

And who the hell are the English to judge anyone on racism and hooliganism anyway ???? bit bloody rich if u ask me lol
"aint no black in the union jack " comes to mind, and the recent street riots....
My mate at work is English, he's been here for six years, says he left because of all the "Pakies" LOL

Racism at football is extremely rare in football. When was the last time you saw sieg heil's and racist chanting at a game? Get back to the 70's.

[Armageddon]

The football will be great at euro 2012, but if the event is organised by the sausage munchers & the cabbage boilers ( 3rd world countries ) what do you expect ?
racism may rear its ugly head, but just listen to platini ( the England hater ) , he really couldn't give a stuff, as long as France, Italy, Netherlands ,Germany or Spain win!
watch the football not the politics, if you are scared of going to a European backwater , then don't go & just watch it on TV.

[PASC]

And who the hell are the English to judge anyone on racism and hooliganism anyway ???? bit bloody rich if u ask me lol
"aint no black in the union jack " comes to mind, and the recent street riots....
My mate at work is English, he's been here for six years, says he left because of all the "Pakies" LOL

Racism at football is extremely rare in football. When was the last time you saw sieg heil's and racist chanting at a game? Get back to the 70's.

I saw Mark bosnich doing it at a EPL game....did u miss that ??

Once again i make my point.... it's a bloody small minority of fukwits .... im sure you are wise enough to comprehend that it's not a reflection of the whole country...

PS-last time i checked my calendar it showed 2012 just like yours so thanks but i'll keep up with the times....

[PASC]

Set to be the lowest attended tournament in years by England. What criteria do they use when picking these host countries?

No offence mate but nobody cares

The point is, it is probably going to be the same for the majority of countries.

The point is the Euro ,hosted by Poland and Ukraine doesnt revolve around accomodating England, or any other single nation.

They are expecting 800,000 foreign visitors.... i rest my case...

[God is an Englishman]

And who the hell are the English to judge anyone on racism and hooliganism anyway ???? bit bloody rich if u ask me lol
"aint no black in the union jack " comes to mind, and the recent street riots....
My mate at work is English, he's been here for six years, says he left because of all the "Pakies" LOL

Racism at football is extremely rare in football. When was the last time you saw sieg heil's and racist chanting at a game? Get back to the 70's.

I saw Mark bosnich doing it at a EPL game....did u miss that ??

Once again i make my point.... it's a bloody small minority of fukwits .... im sure you are wise enough to comprehend that it's not a reflection of the whole country...

PS-last time i checked my calendar it showed 2012 just like yours so thanks but i'll keep up with the times....

I live in adelaide, mine still says 1982 and I'm looking forward to spain world cup.

As for bosnich, that's because he's a racist aussie.

[God is an Englishman]

The point is the Euro ,hosted by Poland and Ukraine doesnt revolve around accomodating England, or any other single nation.

They are expecting 800,000 foreign visitors.... i rest my case...

EXPECTING!!

I'm expecting to shag Megan Gale tonight but whether it happens or not is a different matter.

Let's compare the number of people travelling after the even to previous events. I reckon a lot more went to portugal than will go to poland/ukraine.