BBC Panorama Smears Euro 2012 Host Countries: Poland's PM Hits Back, Cites Hypocrisy

Poland has denounced British media allegations of racism and mob violence at soccer stadiums and assured foreign footballers and fans they would be safe during the Euro 2012 tournament. Poland, which is hosting the tournament with neighbouring Ukraine, moved to play down a BBC Panorama investigative programme on soccer violence filmed in their countries. The so-called documentary shows 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. In Poland, Panorama highlighted anti-semitism, provoking a robust response from the Polish prime minister: Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk: "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." Former England defender Sol Campbell was featured in the documentary advising fans not to travel to the tournament, saying: "Stay at home and watch it on TV. Don't even risk it because you could be coming back in a coffin." A Polish Foreign Ministry spokesman also denounced the BBC programme, saying the report was exaggerated, simplistic and one-sided.
jn1 poland racism soccer stadiums euro 2012 ukraine panorama anti-semitism sol campbell minister donald tusk












































