The DARK side of Euro Cup
The UEFA European Football Championship is second only to the World Cup in size and prestige, and it's equally rich in storylines. But right now, one storyline seems to overwhelm all others.
Nope, the story today is about racism, especially within the stadiums of Poland and Ukraine, which are jointly hosting the Euro 2012 tournament beginning Friday. The day before the competition began, the Dutch national team opted to train on the opposite side of its training ground at Stadion Miejski in Warsaw because of racist chants, Dutch captain Mark van Bommel said Thursday.
Regardless, many players and former players are speaking out, and English police issued a warning to fans after the Ukrainian neo-Nazi group Donetsk Company threatened to attack black and Asian English supporters during the tournament, Sky Sports News reported.
Read the full story...
http://www.eturbonews.com/29638/euro-2012-storylines-dominated-racism-no...
Sad but true Fubar. Whatever happens the wallets of UEFA and FIFA officals will be fatter at the end of the tournament.
Who can be surprised? These events are just awarded to the highest bidder, regardless of whether there is any concern for the welfare of fans.
I'll be amazed if we can get through this tournament without riots and clashes.
Unfortunately sport is a business.
I find it sad that only England is making a stand against this racism. The sad fact of life in most of Europe, (as well as the Middle East) casual racism is not only tolerated but accepted as normal.
For Platini to say that any player that leaves the pitch due to racist abuse should get a yellow card is disgraceful and also to put it on the refrees to abandoned the game if they hear racist chanting is passing the buck. Where is the leadership UEFA? The referee has a hard job keeping track of what is going on with 22 players, UEFA should have someone in the ground to call the game off if racist chanting or abuse starts.
UEFA are a bunch of money laundering criminals the same as FIFA. Septic Bladder's response to if you get called a nigger? Shake he hand after the game and agree its all a bit of fun in the heat of the moment.
Just wait till it arrives in Qatar.