This is being covered in a Panorama programme tonight and is getting a lot of press coverage. Panorama spent a month filming at matches in both the joint host nations and witnessed Nazi salutes from the terraces, black players being taunted with monkey chants, rampant anti-Semitism and a vicious assault on a group of Asian students. Sol Campbell's advice to fans is to "stay home, watch it on TV... don't even risk it." I live in an area where we have a lot of Ukranians and Poles and never had any problems. Is this just stirring up trouble or should people be really worried? Any-one going?
Well I don't think you have anything to fear if you're white, but I would not want to be a minority in Poland. I feel really sorry for the black footballers who are going to be playing over there, because they will almost definitely get abuse. I dread to think what will happen when the African teams come over to Russia 2018.
If we in England are really so keen to stamp out racism then we should make a stand - the first time one of our black players gets the abuse we are all expecting, the team should walk off until something is done about it even if that means clearing the stands We know the powers that be in football only play lipservice to sorting out racism and we should make a grand guesture for all those guys who play for us at club ad national level
Ha! Not too likely I'm afraid. The English way is to just ignore it and pretend that nothing's wrong.
Panorama was pretty shocking but not unexpected. The attack on the Asians in the family centre was the worst part and the authorities done nothing. It said UEFA have made "safe zones" outside the grounds, where people can relax without fear. Whats the point in having the thing there? Surely a big part of it is experiencing the culture and seeing the country. UEFA and FIFA are a joke. There must be brown envelopes going around given the countries getting the big championships now.
I think the comments on the BBC about the half Congolese lady that represented them at Eurovision shows the mentality of some of those people: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18162443 I think it puts the Terry/Suarez outrages in contrast.
Or how to get back to their hotels after. The thing is there shouldn't have to be safe zones. The countries have to prove they have the infrastructue, enough accomodation etc to host but not prove visiting fans will be safe?
It is a ridiculous decision to hold it there, however wasn't there all this hype about South Africa 2 years ago, and nothing seemed to happen there. I do worry about all the African teams going to the World Cup in Russia in 2018 however...
The most worrying thing about the Panorama programme was the Ukrainian Police Chief point blank denying that there had ever been any racist chanting at any stadium in the Ukraine, ever. When the reporter pointed out that he had been in a stadium and witnessed 2000 people doing the nazi salute, he said "no, no, they were just pointing at the opposition." That said, you'd expect the authorities to make sure the neo-nazi hooligan elements are actually kept well away from the grounds during the tournament.
I agree with you here. The fact is in England we haven't done anywhere near enough. This would really be a statement if a team were to have the balls to walk off the field
So if a team is losing, the fans only have to insult one of our black players and we walk off. That would encourage it, not stop it. Time for EUFA to take action if any trouble occurs...they were quick enough to ban all England club sides a while ago.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01jk4vr/Panorama_Euro_2012_Stadiums_of_Hate/ Got to say these countries are a disgrace and should not be invited to the tournament let alone be hosting it. How they can get away with behaving like this in this day and age I really don't know. Also one thing that amazes me is how Terry is in the squad and not been thrown out the English team. Disgusting imo.
Balotelli says he will kill anyone who throws a banana at him....he might as well paint a target on his back. Understandable but foolish.
I'd love to see Ballotelli do a Cantona. Someone should stand up to the scumbags, and big Eric did the sport a favour when he drop kicked that Palace fan.
I'll be surprised if this doesn't happen. I'm a supporter of Cantona and what he did, and I'll support Balotelli to the fullest if he beats the **** out of a racist.
Unfotunately, I think all that Bantertelli has done is make it more likely that he will suffer racist abuse. There are going to be some fireworks involving him in this tournament. Either on the pitch or off it. I have a feeling he will be immense. With all the banterful stuff he does people forget how good he is. I agree with everyone though, that Ukraine and Poland shouldn't be allowed to host a tournament if this sort of thing still goes on in the terraces regularly. There needs to be serious, serious punishment for any racist fans. Possibly kicking their team out of the tournament, or something as serious as that. There has to be a stand made against racism, it is seriously disgusting. I also think that Liverpool should have had the book thrown at them for the Suarez situation, and that our FA are guilty of being weak as well as just FIFA/UEFA.
