Racism in Ukraine this summer

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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's family have joined Theo Walcott's relatives in staying at home during the European Championship for fear of being victims of racial abuse in Ukraine.

The news comes as the PFA announced plans to allow clubs to sack players if they are found guilty of racist behaviour.

Walcott's brother Ashley confirmed on Twitter last week that he and his father Don would not take the risk after public warnings from the Foreign Office.

On Thursday Whitehall officials reiterated their concerns and Joleon Lescott, one of eight black players in the England squad, revealed that other families, like that of Oxlade-Chamberlain, are opting to stay away.

The Foreign Office launched a free guide to fans for Euro 2012 on Thursday. Two of the recommendations in the 130-page guide are:

Travellers of Asian or Afro-Caribbean descent and individuals belonging to religious minorities should take extra care.

Although homosexuality is legal in Ukraine, public attitudes are less tolerant than in the UK and public displays of affection may attract negative attention.

Lescott said his family had decided to stay at home before the warnings were issued, simply for logistical reasons.

'It was quite alarming to see the reports about the situation out there,' he said.

'But even before the reports, my family weren't going anyway. Maybe if I'm playing and we get to the final, my family will want to go.

'But it's a shame for some members of the squad that their families feel they can't go.'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/eu...x-Oxlade-Chamberlains-family-fear-racism.html

Walcott's family aren't going either: http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...o-euro-2012-amid-fears-of-racism-7758217.html

Is this really a serious problem there? Obviously there will be elements of it everywhere but I've not seen players families refusing to go because of such issues before?

I've also heard reports of the FA warning people to be careful as there are a lot of hooligans/gangs who may try and cause trouble.

It doesn't sound great, perhaps not the best place to hold a tournament...
 
Balotelli might be interesting this tournament (he's Italy's number 9 by the way!):

Mario Balotelli intends to walk off the pitch if he is racially abused at Euro 2012 - and says he would kill anyone who threw a banana at him in the street.

The Manchester City and Italy striker was speaking amid fears of potential racism at the tournament in Ukraine and Poland.

In an interview with France Football, Balotelli said: "If someone throws a banana at me in the street, I will go to prison because I will kill him. Racism is unacceptable to me, I cannot bear it.

"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. We are in 2012, it can't happen."

The 21-year-old was regularly a target of racist abuse while playing in Italy.

Balotelli also said he believes he is a genius and smarter than most people.

"I think I am a genius, but not a rebel," he said. "I have my life, my world, I do what I want, without annoying anyone.

"I believe I am more intelligent than the average person.

"The talent God gave me is beautiful and wonderful, but it is difficult because you are always facing other people keen to judge you.

"There are few people with such talent, so there are few able to judge what I am doing."

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12022/7786052/Balotelli-I-ll-walk-off-pitch
 
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