POLAND AND Ukraine denounced British press allegations of racism and mob violence at soccer stadiums and yesterday assured foreign players and fans they would be safe during the Euro 2012 tournament they will jointly host next month.
The neighbours 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 in Rome: “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.”
In Kiev, Ukraine’s foreign ministry went further, saying the allegations were a “dreamed up and mythical problem”.“You can criticise Ukrainian society for a lot of things . . . but, in the practice of racism, EU member countries are a long way ahead of Ukraine,” said a spokesman.
Defender Andrea Ranocchia and forward Mattia Destro were left out of Italy’s 23-man Euro 2012 squad yesterday but centre back Leonardo Bonucci was included despite the match-fixing crisis engulfing the country.
Coach Cesare Prandelli, who on Monday was forced to drop Domenico Criscito after the left back was warned by police that he was being probed in a fix investigation, whittled his squad down from 25 ahead of Uefa’s deadline for the June tournament. Inter centre back Ranocchias exclusion means Bonucci could well start their Euro 2012 Group C opener against holders Spain in Gdansk on June 10th.
Bonucci has not been formally put under investigation and has denied wrongdoing.
ITALY SQUAD: Goalkeepers: G Buffon (Juventus), M De Sanctis (Napoli), S Sirigu (Paris St Germain). Defenders: I Abate (AC Milan), F Balzaretti (Palermo), A Barzagli (Juventus), L Bonucci (Juventus), G Chiellini (Juventus), C Maggio (Napoli), A Ogbonna (Torino). Midfielders:D De Rossi (AS Roma), A Diamanti (Bologna), E Giaccherini (Juventus), C Marchisio (Juventus), R Montolivo (Fiorentina), T Motta (Paris St Germain), A Nocerino (AC Milan), A Pirlo (Juventus). Forwards: M Balotelli (Man City), F Borini (AS Roma), A Cassano (AC Milan), A Di Natale (Udinese), S Giovinco (Parma)
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