Ukraine Euro 2012 director says Sol Campbell’s remarks were “insolent”
Meanwhile, Mario Balotelli says he will walk off the pitch if he hears racist abuse.
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Following a viewing of the Panorama programme Euro 2012: Stadiums of Hate which showed evidence of racism, Anti-Semitism and racist attacks in Poland & Ukraine stadia, SRtRC Honorary Patron and former England captain Sol Campbell advised fans not to travel to the tournament.
Sol said, “Stay home, watch it on TV…don’t even risk it, because you could end up coming back in a coffin.”
It has been reported that both Theo Walcott & Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s families will not travel to the tournament because of the danger of racist attacks.
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office advice for black and Asian fans is to take extra care in Ukraine because of racially motivated attacks.
Following the broadcast of the Panorama programme international press attention has been drawn to the situation. But Ukraine’s Euro 2012 director Markian Lubkivsky said visiting fans to Ukraine had nothing to worry about reports the BBC.
"We are getting ready for the great football festival," Lubkivsky said.
"To be honest, from the Uefa point of view, I don't see any dangers for citizens of different nationalities to stay in Ukraine."
He said: "If the player Campbell has such a vision, than it is his own point of view, and it can not be projected for the whole country.”
"His statement is simply insolent for us and we do not understand the aim of it."
And Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Voloshyn said fans had nothing to fear.
"Nazi symbols can be seen at ... any match in England, but does it mean that fans should not come to London for the Olympics?," he said.
Mario Balotelli
The Manchester City and Italy striker Mario Balotelli has faced racism on and off the pitch. This season he was racially abused by Port fans during a Europa League game and he has been abused on the pitch by Italy supporters having become the first black player to play for Italy.
In an interview with France Football, Mario said "I hope there will not be a problem at the Euros because if it does happen I would straight away leave the pitch and go home. Racism is unacceptable to me, I cannot bear it. We are in 2012, it can't happen."
Uefa's match officials have the authority to abandon matches in the event of a player or players suffering racist abuse.
