Italy are facing match fixing allegations again in their league so it probably isn't a good look if they get it. Combine that with Poland and Ukraine getting their wallets out to host the tourney and it's a no brainer really. is it a big mistake? It looks that way but time will tell.
Some people on here argued that the extra policing and spotlight being on the countries would fix the problem My opinion on that is, only people who are not black/asian would think that or people who have not spent any time in Eastern Europe or are naive as fcuk. The place is riddled with open racism far far more than England. As bad as some countries "can" be they pale in comparison to East Europe. I remember going to the Stadio Olimpico in Rome for a football match, I had no idea where my seats were, I went up some steps and saw a sea of AS Roma fans - in the Curva Sud - where the Ultras sat. I sh!t my pants, I'm not gonna lie, but thankfully nothing happened, no drama, no racist comments, no grief at all. I came from the stadium a Roma fan and have seen them play a few times now. Lazio fans on the other hand are racist knobs.
Euro 2012: Uefa investigates allegations of racism by fans Read the full report: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18409916 Uefa is to investigate alleged racist chanting during the Euro 2012 matches between Spain and Italy and Russia v Czech Republic. A Spanish fans' group has said some of its supporters abused Manchester City and Italy striker Mario Balotelli. Czech Republic defender Theodor Gebre Selassie told reporters he "noticed" racist chants directed at him. Uefa said that no disciplinary proceedings had been started at this stage. The Uefa statement added: "Following the provision of new independent information today, regarding the two cases of alleged racist chanting in the Spain-Italy and Russia-Czech Republic matches, Uefa is now conducting further investigations." No official complaints have been made to Uefa by Italy or Czech Republic. The admission by a Spanish fans' group that some of their supporters racially abused Balotelli during Sunday's game was sent to Uefa by an anti-racism network.
I actually heard the noises in that match - Balotelli reacted to the fans in that corner abusing him too. But then Spain is full of racists anyway, how many incidents during the past 6 or 7 years have we heard. they must feel right at home with the other Polish/Ukranian racists ....
Sure there will be isolated incidents everywhere but it's interesting that thus far the complaints have been at non-host countries (Spain and Russia), meaning there were no noted incidents from Polish and Ukrainian fans (yet). These sets of fans could have been hosted anywhere, and their behavior would have likely been the same. The potential for incidents between Polish and Russian fans far outweighs any risk of violence due to race or other reasons IMO; which shows, to me, just how hyperbolic the media can be on the race angle compared to other issues which could potentially be far more serious. A couple of fans behaving like idiots in the stands (monkey noises etc) is given more media coverage than Russian fans physically assaulting Polish stadium staff, as an example.
