|
| Warsaw |
 |
| Russian football fans display a giant banner at the Euro 2012 championships Poland vs Russia football match on June 12 |
Banner irks Poles, clash with Russian fans
UEFA has given a suspended six-point deduction to Russia because of the inappropriate behaviour of their fans during their 4-1 win against the Czech Republic.
The action was taken due to the use of fireworks and far-right banners by the fans, and reportedly attacked stewards, leaving four who needed hospital treatment. The incident, which is currently being investigated by the police and UEFA officials, will call for a penalty that will apply to the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, and also includes a fine of 96,000 pounds (120,000 euros).
 |
Polish and Russian football fans clash in Warsaw ahead
of a Euro 2012 match |
However, Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his concern over the violence to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and believes the hosts should take more responsibility.
| Krakow |
 |
• Czech Republic’s Theodor Gebre Selassie walks from the pitch after a match; UEFA is investigating reports by anti-racism experts of abuse directed at Czech players
History of racism
A BBC Panorama programme exposed Polish football fans as Nazis incarnate. According to Chris Rogers, the documentary reporter, if it’s brown and moves, Ukrainians take it out. Both Eastern European nations are known for Neo-Nazi leanings among their public; swastikas, Sieg-Heil salutes, and Jew-baiting is rife.
 |
Karpaty Lviv supporters hold a Nazi flag at a match
against Dynamo Kiev in 2007 |
Both countries have some of the toughest Anti-Hate laws in the world to deal with their own internal divisions and historical controversies.
Blacks weren’t there 20 years ago in Poland and Ukraine under a socially conservative communist regime. On May 2, horrific footage came in of thugs kicking, punching and bloodying Indian fans, at a Ukrainian Premier League match in the Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv —- a 35,000-seater that is hosting Euro 2012 games.
Monkey chants during Holland training session
 |
| Chelsea’s Didier Drogba (L), celebrates with Dutch soccer legend Ruud Gullit |
Former Holland captain Ruud Gullit has hit out at UEFA’s diktat that victims of racist abuse who leave the pitch without permission from the referee will be yellow carded.
Gullit said the racist abuse meted out to Dutch players at their Krakow training base last week should serve as a warning to authorities.
“The monkey sounds that greeted the Holland team at their training session this week were an embarrassment to the Polish authorities. The problem of racial abuse of footballers is now on everyone's radar and it has to be dealt with.”
“It has been suggested by the UEFA president Michel Platini that players would be booked for leaving the field as an act of retaliation and defiance.
That, in my opinion, is the wrong message. If a player is racially insulted, he should have the right to leave the field. If the officials are not supporting the players correctly, then the individual should act.
The message this would send out: ‘we will not tolerate this abuse’. I used to ignore the abuse and felt powerless to change attitudes. My only weapon was my performances on the pitch. We are beyond that now though,” he said.
Croatia censured for racism by fans
• Croatian fans cheer as a flare is thrown onto the pitch at an Italy-Croatia match; the Croatian football federation has been charged after fans shouted monkey chants at Italian forward Balotelli (L)
UEFA laid its first formal charges of racism at the European Championship on Saturday, opening a case against the Croatian football association after receiving reports that fans made monkey chants at Italy forward Mario Balotelli.
 Croatia is charged with “improper conduct” of supporters, including “racist chants, racist symbols” at a game in Poznan on Thursday, UEFA said in a statement.
UEFA received reports from anti-discrimination monitors working with Football Against Racism in Europe, who wrote that Croatia fans made monkey noises and displayed far-right nationalist flags.
Balotelli, who is black, started the game for Italy against Croatia, and was replaced in the second half of the 1-1 draw. “It was fairly consistent throughout the game,” FARE executive director Piara Powar told The Associated Press. “It was at its most intense as he was substituted and left the field.”
The charge also relates to fireworks thrown on the field after Croatia scored, which delayed Italy's kickoff to restart the game. UEFA said its disciplinary panel will judge the case against Croatia on Tuesday.
|
04:46:25 PM