tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46228042422853035662024-03-13T18:58:25.674+00:00Racism and Violence at Euro 2012Anton Shekhovtsovhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879900090366760264noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4622804242285303566.post-64886375209715498662012-08-15T15:26:00.000+01:002013-07-17T15:31:34.020+01:00Final report on racism and violence at Euro 2012This report was published in <a href="http://searchlightmagazine.com/" target="_blank"><i>Searchlight</i></a>, No. 445 (August 2012), pp. 30-31.<br />
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<b>Racism and violence at Euro 2012</b><br />
By Anton Shekhovtsov<br />
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THE EURO 2012 TOURNAMENT started on 8 June amid fears of racism and hooliganism in Poland and Ukraine. The BBC Panorama programme “Stadiums of Hate” presumably contributed the most to <a href="http://www.opendemocracy.net/od-russia/anton-shekhovtsov/west-on-ukraine-when-%E2%80%98anti-racism%E2%80%99-becomes-xenophobia" target="_blank">the spread of these fears</a>, with Sol Campbell stating that the two countries did not “deserve these prestigious tournaments” and telling English fans to avoid travelling to Ukraine and Poland “because you could end up coming back in a coffin”. However, a fortnight before the Euro 2012 final, a number of England fans in the Ukrainian city Donetsk carried a coffin painted with a St George’s Cross and the words: “You’re wrong Campbell”. As my observations revealed, Campbell was wrong indeed at least as regards Ukraine, as not one racist incident involving Ukraine fans was reported during the tournament.<br />
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Nevertheless, Euro 2012 was not free from violence and racist abuse of players. The first incident took place a day before the official start of the tournament, when the Netherlands’ black players were subjected to monkey chants during their open training session in Krakow, with Dutch captain Mark van Bommel branding the incident “a real disgrace”. On the same day, four Russia fans and two Turks had a brawl in a Warsaw bar and were fined €1,000. Russia fans have turned out to be major troublemakers during the tournament, or more accurately, until their team failed to progress to the semi-finals. On the opening day of Euro 2012, Russia fans attacked Polish stewards at the Wroclaw stadium following their country’s victory over the Czech Republic. It resulted in four guards being hospitalised but they were soon released after receiving first aid. During the match, some Russian fans directed monkey chants at the Czech player of Ethiopian origin, Theo Gebre Selassie. Such an attitude among Russia fans is quite worrying given that the 2018 FIFA World Cup is to be hosted by Russia.<br />
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On 9 June, German fans racially abused Portugal players. German supporters also threw screwed up paper at Portugal’s players and let off a smoke bomb in the stands. The next day was even more dramatic, as Poland, Ireland and Croatia fans had a fight in Poznan, four Russia fans smashed a Wroclaw bar, a Croatia fan invaded the pitch while others set off fireworks and threw objects during Croatia’s match against Ireland, and the Italian hero Mario Balotelli was subjected to a tirade of racist abuse from around 300 Spanish fans during Italy’s 1-1 draw with Spain.<br />
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Yet, if 10 June was dramatic, day 5 of the tournament was, perhaps, the most gruesome. Several massive fights between Poland and Russia fans took place on 12 June; in the majority of incidents it was Polish hooligans who attacked the Russians. The ugliest fight, however, was partly provoked by Russia fans themselves: in the wake of their country’s match against Poland, thousands of Russians marched on Warsaw’s Poniatowski Bridge to mark Russia Day – an act considered provocative by some Poles whose country endured decades of a Soviet-inspired authoritarian regime. Police were forced to fire warning shots and use water canon to break up the fighting, and more than 180 hooligans from both sides of the conflict were arrested.<br />
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Violence declined after day 5, but racism and nationalism persisted. On 14 June, Italy’s Mario Balotelli was again subjected to racist abuse, but this time monkey chanting came from Croatia fans during the 1-1 draw between Italy and Croatia in Poznan. The fact that Balotelli (who was born to Ghanaian immigrants) apparently became the main object of abuse at the tournament once again proves the cowardly nature of racism: Balotelli was one of the best players during Euro 2012, and by monkey chants racists wanted to disturb and unsettle him, but they ultimately failed. <br />
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On 16 June, Russia fans “distinguished” themselves again, as they set off and threw fireworks, as well as displaying illicit banners, during their country’s match against Greece. The next day, Germany fans held a neo-Nazi banner during a match against Denmark, while on 18 June racist banners were displayed by Croatia fans at their country’s match against Spain. In each of these cases, UEFA opened disciplinary proceedings. This seemed to have helped, as the level of racism and violence decreased after several countries had been fined by UEFA. On 18 June, Croatian and Polish hooligans clashed in Gdansk ahead of their countries’ match (one Pole was injured in the fight and three Croats were arrested), but no major incident was reported after that. Some England fans vandalised a tree in the centre of Kyiv before the country’s match against Italy on 24 June, but in general they behaved quite reasonably while in Ukraine. <br />
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This, unfortunately, cannot be said about the behaviour of approximately 150 English hooligans in Bedford, who – after England had lost to Italy on penalties – decided to work off their bad temper on Italian supporters who had gathered in Russell Park. The English hooligans caused damage to a number of vehicles, but Bedfordshire Police largely managed to prevent them from confronting Italian fans. One person was arrested for assault, while two were held for criminal damage.<br />
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Despite the racist and violent incidents in Poland and Ukraine, UEFA president Michel Platini hailed the tournament as a “resounding success” after Euro 2012 ended with Spain’s 4-0 win over Italy in the final. Anton Shekhovtsovhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879900090366760264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4622804242285303566.post-43387101326799297272012-06-24T19:30:00.000+01:002012-06-25T12:25:01.648+01:00England fans vandalise trees in Kyiv, Ukraine<b>Summary</b><br />
24 June 2012<br />
England fans broke a tree in the centre of Kyiv before the country's match against Italy. They also attempted to vandalise another tree, as well as punching security officers.<br />
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<br />Anton Shekhovtsovhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879900090366760264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4622804242285303566.post-31476143723578371852012-06-18T23:30:00.000+01:002012-06-21T10:31:07.695+01:00Croatia fans displayed racist banners in Gdansk, Poland<b>Summary</b><br />
18 June 2012<br />
Croatia fans displayed racist banners at the country's match against Spain. UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings.<br />
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<a href="http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2012/06/20/croatia-face-new-racism-charge-from-uefa/" target="_blank">Article from FoxNews</a>:<br />
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The Croatian football federation, fined 80,000 euros by UEFA on Tuesday for racist chanting by their fans at Euro 2012, faces further punishment after it was charged on Wednesday for the display of racist banners against Spain.<br /><br />"UEFA has today opened disciplinary proceedings against the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) for the setting-off and throwing of fireworks, and the improper conduct of supporters (display of racist banners and symbols) at the UEFA Euro 2012 Group C match against Spain in Gdansk on Monday," the governing body said in a statement.<br /><br />The disciplinary case, UEFA said, also involves the "improper conduct" of the Croatian team after six of their players were booked in the 1-0 defeat which condemned them to a group stage exit.Anton Shekhovtsovhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879900090366760264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4622804242285303566.post-56225493742515939982012-06-18T23:00:00.000+01:002012-06-20T14:03:03.998+01:00Russian football fan set off fireworks in Gdansk, Poland<b>Summary</b><br />
18 June 2012<br />
Russian fan set off fireworks during Spain's 1:0 win over Croatia.<br />
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<a href="http://sport.bigmir.net/euro2012/turnir/1548313-Russkij-sled--Najden-vinovnyj-v-beschinstvah-na-matche-Horvatija---Ispanija" target="_blank">Read the article at Bigmir [in Russian]</a>.Anton Shekhovtsovhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879900090366760264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4622804242285303566.post-25669824669474096602012-06-18T22:00:00.000+01:002012-06-21T10:24:16.496+01:00Croatian and Polish hooligans clashed in Gdansk, Poland<b>Summary</b><br />
18 June 2012<br />
Croatian and Polish hooligans clashed ahead of the Croatia-Spain match. One Pole was injured in the fight and three Croats were arrested.<br />
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<a href="http://dalje.com/en-sports/euro-2012--three-croats-arrested-in-gdansk/436471" target="_blank">Article from Dalje</a>:<br />
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Croatian and Polish hooligans clashed again, this time in Gdansk on Monday morning, ahead of tonight's Croatia-Spain match at the 2012 UEFA European Football Championship, the head of the Croatian police team at EURO, Dubravko Perec, told Hina.<br />
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He said one Pole was injured in the fight and that three Croats were arrested and would most likely be released on Tuesday.<br />
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According to unofficial reports, Croatia's Bad Blue Boys and the supporters of Lech Poznan were involved in the fight. They were involved in a similar incident in Poznan ahead of the Croatia-Ireland game last week.<br />
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UEFA is keeping an eye on Croatian supporters because of a series of incidents caused by a small group of hooligans, the worst of which included racist slurs against black Italian footballer Mario Balotelli for which the Croatian Football Federation will be fined.Anton Shekhovtsovhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879900090366760264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4622804242285303566.post-59308903341810583182012-06-17T23:00:00.000+01:002012-06-20T10:09:48.947+01:00Germany fans displayed neo-Nazi banner in Lviv, Ukraine<b>Summary</b><br />
17 June 2012<br />
Germany fans displayed a neo-Nazi banner at a match against Denmark.<br />
<a name='more'></a><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/jun/19/euro-2012-germany-charged-uefa" target="_blank">Article from the Guardian</a>:<br />
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Uefa has opened disciplinary proceedings against the German Football Association (DFB) for "improper conduct" by their fans during the Euro 2012 Group B match against Denmark on Sunday.<br /><br />"The DFB is charged with the setting-off of fireworks and the improper conduct of supporters (display of inappropriate banners and symbols, and inappropriate chanting)," European footballs governing body said in a statement on Tuesday.<br /><br />The Football Against Racism in Europe (Fare) group said a neo-nazi banner was displayed by German fans. Fare, an independent anti-discrimination network working closely with Uefa to identify instances of racism at matches in the tournament, tweeted on Tuesday: "Fare can confirm that one of our observers reported a neo-nazi banner in the German section at match versus Denmark game in Lviv on Sunday".<br /><br />The DFB has already been fined €10,000 (£8,000) at this tournament by Uefa after Germany fans threw what appeared to be rolled up pieces of paper at Portugal players during their match in Lviv on June 9. Uefa will deal with the latest case on Saturday.Anton Shekhovtsovhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879900090366760264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4622804242285303566.post-47552542195575642002012-06-16T23:00:00.000+01:002012-06-23T18:59:54.936+01:00Russia fans set off and threw fireworks, displayed illicit banners in Warsaw, Poland<b>Summary</b>16 June 2012<br />
Russia fans set off and threw fireworks, as well as displaying illicit banners during the Russia's match against Greece.<br />
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<a href="http://www.uefa.com/uefa/footballfirst/matchorganisation/disciplinary/news/newsid=1831735.html" target="_blank">Article from UEFA</a>:<br />
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The Football Union of Russia (RFS) has been fined €35,000 by the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body for the setting off and throwing of fireworks by spectators, and displaying of illicit banners, at the UEFA EURO 2012 Group A match against Greece in Warsaw on 16 June.Anton Shekhovtsovhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879900090366760264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4622804242285303566.post-70399436699895958602012-06-15T23:00:00.000+01:002012-06-18T15:58:05.910+01:00England fans attempted invasion of the field of play in Kyiv, Ukraine<b>Summary</b><br />
15 June 2012<br />
England fans attempted invasion of the field of play at the match against Sweden in Kyiv.<br />
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<a href="http://www.uefa.com/uefa/footballfirst/matchorganisation/disciplinary/news/newsid=1824355.html" target="_blank">Article from UEFA</a>:<br />
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UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against the Football Association of England (FA) for the inappropriate behaviour of their supporters – attempted invasion of the field of play – at the UEFA EURO 2012 Group D match against Sweden in Kyiv on Friday.<br /><br />The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body will deal with the case on Wednesday 20 June.Anton Shekhovtsovhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879900090366760264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4622804242285303566.post-26981815704848383822012-06-14T22:00:00.000+01:002012-06-15T11:30:11.441+01:00Italian anthem jeered by Spain and Croatia fans in Poland<b>Summary</b><br />
10, 14 June 2012<br />
Italy says it will file a complaint with UEFA over the Italian anthem booing during the draws against Spain and Croatia.<br />
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<a href="http://www.football-italia.net/19979/italy-anthem-protest-uefa" target="_blank">Article from Football Italia</a>:<br />
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Italy have announced they will lodge an official complaint to UEFA after their national anthem was jeered against Spain and Croatia.<br /><br />“I will tell the FIGC to ask UEFA for significant sanctions against these fans who jeer the Italian anthem,” said CONI (Italian Olympic Committee) President Gianni Petrucci.<br /><br />“It’s the second time this has happened after the opening match against Spain. We cannot continue like this.”<br /><br />There were considerably more Croatian supporters than Italian in Poznan, where the two teams drew 1-1 in Euro 2012 Group C.<br /><br />Play also had to be halted twice as Croatian fans threw flares and smokebombs on to the pitch.Anton Shekhovtsovhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879900090366760264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4622804242285303566.post-29965597109554425042012-06-14T21:30:00.000+01:002012-06-15T11:21:09.713+01:00Italian player Mario Balotelli subjected to racist abuse from Croatia fans in Poznan, Poland<b>Summary</b><br />14 June 2012<br />Italian football player Mario Balotelli was, <a href="http://racism-and-violence-at-euro-2012.blogspot.com/2012/06/italian-player-mario-balotelli.html" target="_blank">again</a>, subjected to racist abuse. This time monkey chanting came from Croatia fans during the 1-1 draw between Italy and Croatia in Poznan.<br />
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<a href="http://sport.bigmir.net/euro2012/turnir/1547933-Teper--horvaty--Balotelli-vnov--podvergsja-rasistskim-napadkam" target="_blank">Read the article at Bigmir</a> [in Russian].Anton Shekhovtsovhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879900090366760264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4622804242285303566.post-48314936048981496632012-06-14T17:00:00.000+01:002012-06-15T11:22:29.954+01:00England and Sweden fans clash in Kyiv, Ukraine<b>Summary</b><br />
14 June 2012<br />
About 100 England fans and 200 Sweden supporters chanted loudly towards each other in the Kyiv fan-zone, but several efforts to break a line of security personnel were quickly halted.<br />
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<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/jun/15/euro-2012-england-sweden-fans-kiev" target="_blank">Article from the Guardian</a>:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2012/6/15/1339715764554/Sweden-and-England-fans-005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2012/6/15/1339715764554/Sweden-and-England-fans-005.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Security guards separate Swedish and English fans after they clashed in
the fan zone in Kiev ahead of the Euro 2012 game. Photograph:
Stringer/REUTERS</td></tr>
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England and Sweden football supporters were kept apart by security at a fan zone in Kiev on Thursday night.<br />
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The two sets of supporters, in the Ukrainian capital ahead of Friday's Group D encounter, chanted loudly towards each other, but several efforts to break a line of security personnel were quickly halted. About 100 England fans and 200 Sweden supporters were involved.<br />
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Minutes earlier the thousands of football supporters inside the fan zone were drenched by a heavy downpour as they watched Spain play Ireland on large television screens. The England supporters had congregated at a marquee opposite an area set aside for Sweden.<br />
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Around 20,000 Scandinavians are expected at the Olympic Stadium for Friday night's match, compared to 5,000 from England.<br />
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Chris Banks, 24, a project manager from Reading, Berkshire, said: "Sweden have got their own bars and restaurants so they all congregate in the same place. But England fans are making themselves known. We're loud!"<br />
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Travel agent Phil Davis, 34, from Nottingham, said: "They're pretty much everywhere, it's a little part of Sweden but we've set up camp opposite them. It doesn't match up, but it's a decent effort."<br />
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<br />Anton Shekhovtsovhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879900090366760264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4622804242285303566.post-18842916371005794612012-06-13T23:00:00.000+01:002012-06-18T15:58:23.656+01:00Germany fans set off fireworks and threw missiles in Kharkiv, Ukraine<b>Summary</b><br />
13 June 2012<br />
Germany supporters set off fireworks and threw missiles during the country's 2-1 win over the Netherlands.<br />
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<a href="http://www.uefa.com/uefa/footballfirst/matchorganisation/disciplinary/news/newsid=1819949.html#dfb+faces+proceedings" target="_blank">Article from UEFA</a>:<br />
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UEFA today confirms that it has opened disciplinary proceedings against the German Football Association (DFB) following last night's UEFA EURO 2012 Group B match between Germany and the Netherlands in Kharkiv.<br />
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The DFB is charged with the setting-off of fireworks and the throwing of missiles by supporters. The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body will deal with the case on Monday 18 June.Anton Shekhovtsovhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879900090366760264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4622804242285303566.post-71429782768279300262012-06-13T08:27:00.003+01:002012-06-13T08:27:33.503+01:00Deputy mayor of Gdansk, Poland, made "clumsy" comments about "civilised white people"<b>Summary</b><br />
13 June 2012<br />
In a radio interview, the deputy mayor of Gdansk Andrzej Bojanowski thanked "residents and city employees for behaving like normal civilised
white people toward our guests". He later apologised for this "clumsy phrasing".<br />
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<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/jun/13/gdansk-deputy-mayor-apologises-civilised-whites" target="_blank">Article from the Guardian</a>:<br />
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The deputy mayor of Gdansk has apologised for comments in which he praised football supporters for behaving like white civilised people.<br /><br />Andrzej Bojanowski made the controversial remarks in a radio interview and quickly moved to retract them after he was criticised for racism.<br /><br />"I thank residents and city employees for behaving like normal civilised white people toward our guests who have in turn also behaved like normal white people," he said in the broadcast.<br /><br />A few hours after the interview he spoke to local newspaper, Gazeta Wyborcza, and apologised.<br /><br />"I apologise to anyone I may have hurt with the clumsy phrasing I used this morning in a live broadcast. I simply wanted to thank residents and guests, whatever the colour of their skin," he wrote.<br /><br />"I wanted to praise all the inhabitants of the town of liberty and solidarity. We have shown that everyone can act and enjoy the match and our cultures in happiness together."<br /><br />Local translators said the Polish phrase he used during the broadcast was not intended to cause offence, but when put into English it may have been construed as racist or offensive.<br /><br />The Polish anti-racism Foundation for Freedom said the ill-judged remarks highlighted how racist stereotypes were rooted in the language of the country.<br /><br />The group also said it was certain no offence had been intended.Anton Shekhovtsovhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879900090366760264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4622804242285303566.post-70398735005669686212012-06-12T23:31:00.000+01:002012-06-13T12:05:31.940+01:00183 arrests after fighting between Russia and Poland fans in Warsaw, Poland<b>Summary</b><br />
12 June 2012<br />
Police in Warsaw have made more than 183 arrests relating to fighting between Poland and Russia fans. 7 Polish and 2 Russian fans were injured.<br />
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<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/jun/13/euro-2012-arrested-fighting-russia" target="_blank">Article from The Guardian</a>:<br />
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Police in Warsaw have made more than 183 arrests relating to fighting between Poland and Russia fans and expect to add to that number as investigations continue.<br />
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Before the match, a 1-1 Group A draw at the National Stadium, thousands of Russia fans marched on the capital's Poniatowski Bridge to mark Russia Day, considered a provocative gesture by some Poles whose nation was subjected to decades of rule by Moscow during the Cold War.<br />
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A police statement read: "More than 183 hooligans were caught by the police because of disorders in Warsaw – firstly during the march to National Stadion, secondly in the Fanzone in Plac Defilad Square. Among the kept persons there are fans of both teams – Russian and Polish.<br />
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"There are 10 persons who are injured: 7 Polish, 2 Russians and 1 German – their lives are not in danger concerning the information from the medical services."<br />
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Police are understood to have deployed water canon and rubber bullets as part of their response.<br />
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A Warsaw police spokesperson added: "We are still monitoring the situation and trying to identify the supporters involved. The operation is not over from our side as we continue in our attempts to catch those who are causing trouble."<br />
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Trouble flared despite an unprecedented security operation in the Polish capital, where authorities had been extensively trained in anti-riot operations before the tournament.<br />
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Tuesday's violence is is the latest blight on the competition, which is being co-hosted by Ukraine, with Uefa already indicating they will launch investigations into allegations of racist chanting in games involving Spain and Italy, and Russia and the Czech Republic.<br />
<br />Anton Shekhovtsovhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879900090366760264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4622804242285303566.post-22691252985164217452012-06-12T22:12:00.003+01:002012-06-12T22:12:21.547+01:00Polish hooligans attack Russia fans (video)<object height="277" width="370"><param name="movie" value="http://rt.com/s/swf/player5.4.swf?file=http://rt.com/files/news/poland-football-fans-clash-654/i611af55992e923543e01267133066908_00aded8e.dv.flv&image=http://rt.com/files/news/poland-football-fans-clash-654/june-supporters-warsaw-2012.n.jpg&skin=http://rt.com/s/css/player_skin.zip&provider=http&abouttext=Russia%20Today&aboutlink=http://rt.com&autostart=false">
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<a href="http://www.rt.com/news/poland-football-fans-clash-654/" target="_blank"> Article from Russia Today</a>:<br />
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At least ten people have been injured as Polish and Russian football fans clashed in Warsaw. Police were forced to fire warning shots and use water cannon to break up the fighting. Over 50 arrests have been made.<br /><br />Some 5,500 Russians were marching through the capital when they were reportedly attacked by a mob of Polish youths.<br /><br />Preliminary reports say at least ten people were injured, and had to be taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for head injuries. At least one of the injured was a Polish national, with no information available on the other two casualties. Russian diplomats are checking claims that one Russian fan was fatally wounded.<br /><br />As clashes in the capital continue, local news reports that police are using tear-gas against the hooligans, who in turn are throwing stones and firebombs at the police.<br /><br />"A hundred hooligans, both Russian and Polish, attempted to provoke a conflict. Police prevented that. Fifty-six people have been detained so far," says the Polish State Police Office.<br /><br />"We are aware of ten casualties: two Russians, one German and the rest are Polish nationals," added the office.<br /><br />Earlier in the day, a mob of some 50 Polish fans attacked a café in central Warsaw where Russian football supporters had gathered before the match. The Polish fans were wearing masks and threw smoke grenades and stones at the cafe. As the Russians fought back, the attackers retreated. One Russian suffered serious head injuries.<br /><br />The Russian fans' march was set to coincide with Russia Day, celebrated on June 12, and had been sanctioned by city authorities.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rt.com/files/news/poland-football-fans-clash-654/polish-russian-soccer-fans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="167" src="http://www.rt.com/files/news/poland-football-fans-clash-654/polish-russian-soccer-fans.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Polish and Russian soccer fans clash outside the National Stadium in Warsaw, June 12, 2012. (Reuters/Jerzy Dudek)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rt.com/files/news/poland-football-fans-clash-654/dudek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="234" src="http://www.rt.com/files/news/poland-football-fans-clash-654/dudek.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reuters/Jerzy Dudek</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rt.com/files/news/poland-football-fans-clash-654/polish-riot-police-shoot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="181" src="http://www.rt.com/files/news/poland-football-fans-clash-654/polish-riot-police-shoot.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Polish riot police shoot rubber bullets during clashes with soccer fans
before the Group A Euro 2012 soccer match between Poland and Russia in
Warsaw June 12, 2012. (Reuters/Fot. Agata Grzybowska/Agencja)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rt.com/files/news/poland-football-fans-clash-654/agata.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://www.rt.com/files/news/poland-football-fans-clash-654/agata.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reuters/Fot. Agata Grzybowska/Agencja</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rt.com/files/news/poland-football-fans-clash-654/andrews-144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://www.rt.com/files/news/poland-football-fans-clash-654/andrews-144.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reuters/Peter Andrews</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rt.com/files/news/poland-football-fans-clash-654/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207" src="http://www.rt.com/files/news/poland-football-fans-clash-654/image.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from Twitter/@ultra_spartak</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rt.com/files/news/poland-football-fans-clash-654/video-still.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://www.rt.com/files/news/poland-football-fans-clash-654/video-still.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Video still</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rt.com/files/news/poland-football-fans-clash-654/video-still-528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://www.rt.com/files/news/poland-football-fans-clash-654/video-still-528.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Video still</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rt.com/files/news/poland-football-fans-clash-654/agata-46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://www.rt.com/files/news/poland-football-fans-clash-654/agata-46.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reuters/Fot. Agata Grzybowska/Agencja</td></tr>
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<br />Anton Shekhovtsovhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879900090366760264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4622804242285303566.post-82741870116482884262012-06-12T17:58:00.000+01:002012-06-12T17:58:11.391+01:00Polish and Russian fans clash in Warsaw, Poland<b>Summary</b><br />
12 June 2012<br />
Police opens fire as Polish football fans attack Russian fans marching through Warsaw, at least 3 injured.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
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At least three people have been injured as Polish and Russian football fans clashed in Warsaw. Police was forced to fire warning shots and use water cannons to break up the fighting.<br /><br />According to reports, the Russians were marching through the capital when they were attacked by a mob of Polish youths. <br /><br />Warsaw police was forced to fire warning shots and use water cannons to break up the fighting.<br /><br />Preliminary reports say at least 3 people were injured, and had to be taken to a nearby hospital for treating head injuries. At least one of the injured was a Polish national, with no information available on the other two casualties.<br />
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<a href="http://www.rt.com/news/poland-football-fans-clash-654/" target="_blank">Read the complete article at Russia Today</a>:Anton Shekhovtsovhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879900090366760264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4622804242285303566.post-64193375055815969682012-06-12T17:47:00.003+01:002012-06-12T17:47:54.642+01:00Italy's main striker Antonio Cassano made a homophobic remark<b>Summary</b><br />
12 June 2012<br />
Antonio Cassano, one of Italy's main strikers at Euro 2012, has been criticised after he made a homophobic remark during an interview on Tuesday.<br />
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<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/06/12/euro-2012-italy-striker-antonio-cassano-homophobic-slur_n_1589778.html?ref=topbar" target="_blank">Article from Huffington Post</a>:<br />
<br />
Antonio Cassano, one of Italy's main strikers at Euro 2012, has been criticised after he made a homophobic remark during an interview on Tuesday.<br /><br />Cassano was asked about gay footballers and responded: "Poofs in the national team? That's their problem. But I hope not".<br /><br />The 29-year-old specifically used the term "froci", which is Italian slang and a derogative word which can mean "poof" or "fag".<br /><br />AC Milan striker Cassano started in the Azzurri's 1-1 draw in their opening Group C game against Spain on Sunday.<br /><br />Cassano's career is littered with controversy and he is renowned for his short temper. His coach at Roma and former England boss Fabio Capello nicknamed him Cassanata, a term regularly used by Italian journalists as a euphemism for an individual who jeopardises squad harmony.Anton Shekhovtsovhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879900090366760264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4622804242285303566.post-23820821188504381112012-06-12T17:00:00.000+01:002012-06-24T11:18:25.518+01:00Russia fans attacked by 50 Polish hooligans in Warsaw, Poland<b>Summary</b><br />
12 June 2012<br />
About 50 Polish fans attacked Russia fans at a café in Warsaw.<br />
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A group of some 50 Polish fans attacked a café in central Warsaw where Russian football supporters had gathered before the match. The Polish fans were wearing masks and threw smoke grenades and stones at the cafe. As the Russians fought back, the attackers retreated. One Russian suffered serious head injuries. Police arrived at the scene after the incident was over.<br />
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<a href="http://www.rt.com/sport/football/euro2012-russia-fans-beaten-hooligans-poland-628/" target="_blank">Read the complete article at Russia Today</a>.Anton Shekhovtsovhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879900090366760264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4622804242285303566.post-19865139419597921422012-06-12T16:37:00.002+01:002012-06-12T16:37:47.728+01:00Russia fans attacked by around 20 Poles in Warsaw, Poland<b>Summary</b><br />
12 June 2012<br />
A group of Russia fans was attacked by around 20 unidentified Polish-speaking persons upon the Russians' arrival in Warsaw. The perpetrators also tried to smash the Russians' car.<br />
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<a href="http://korrespondent.net/sport/echampionship/1359545-v-varshave-neizvestnye-izbili-rossijskih-bolelshchikov" target="_blank">Read the Korrespondent article [in Russian]</a>.Anton Shekhovtsovhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879900090366760264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4622804242285303566.post-7252249559980659242012-06-11T21:30:00.000+01:002012-06-25T16:29:20.108+01:00Ukrainians verbally offended by Polish radio show hosts<b>Summary</b> <br />
11 June 2012<br />
<span id="ctl00_ctl00_ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_ContentPlaceHolder1_FirstColumn_A_ctl00_lblLead">Hosts of a popular Polish radio show on Radio Eska demonstrated hate speech and sexism in a reference to Ukrainian women in the wake of Ukraine's 2-1 win over Sweden.</span><br />
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<span id="ctl00_ctl00_ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_ContentPlaceHolder1_FirstColumn_A_ctl00_lblLead"><a href="http://www.thenews.pl/1/10/Artykul/103813,Radio-hosts-xenophobic-towards-Ukrainians" target="_blank">Article from Thenews.pl</a>:</span><br />
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<span id="ctl00_ctl00_ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_ContentPlaceHolder1_FirstColumn_A_ctl00_lblLead">The comments, which the presenters say were in keeping with the tone of their “satirical” show, had prompted a complaint from Ukraine's Foreign Ministry.<br /><br />Kuba Wojewodzki and Michal Figurski, hosts of the show on commercial station Radio Eska, made the controversial remarks in the wake of Ukraine's 2-1 victory against Sweden on 11 June in the Euro 2012 tournament.<br /><br />In reference to the match, Wojewodzki quipped to his co-host that after the game, he “behaved like a true Pole and chucked out his Ukrainian.”<br /><br />Figurski replied that this was “a good idea,” and that “out of spite, I won't pay her today,”<br /><br />Wojewodzki went on to say that if his [Ukrainian] had been “a bit prettier he would have raped her anyway.”<br /><br />Following the conclusion of the Media Ethics Council (REM) of the Association of Polish Journalists, the matter will now be taken up by Poland's National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT).<br /><br />Racism<br /><br />As alluded to in the Media Ethics Council's statement, this is not the first time that the presenters have been accused of xenophobia and racism..<br /><br />In October 2011, Radio Eska was fined 50,000 zloty (11,700 euro) in connection with remarks made during an edition of the presenters' show from earlier that year.<br /><br />“Let's call the black man,” it was announced in the show, prior to interviewing a spokesman for Poland's Main Road Transport Inspectorate who was half-Indian.<br /><br />The presenters added that that particular edition of the show was sponsored by the Ku Klux Klan.<br /><br />A further controversial incident occurred when Wojewodzki was co-hosting an episode of the Polish edition of the X-Factor talent-finding show, during which the presenter made so-called jokes about cannibalism to a contestant of Nigerian background.<br /><br />Both Wojewodzki and Figurski have apologised for the current Ukrainian remarks, but defended their behaviour as being satirical.</span>Anton Shekhovtsovhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879900090366760264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4622804242285303566.post-76201596813843206272012-06-11T17:35:00.000+01:002012-06-12T17:36:09.698+01:00An England fan punched and kicked by four men in Donetsk, Ukraine<b>Summary</b><br />
11 June 2012<br />
An off-duty British policeman was punched and kicked by a group of four men who he said claimed to be "Russian mafia".<br />
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An off-duty British policeman has received minor injuries while travelling to watch the England match.<br /><br />The attack, which took place while he was walking to the Donbass Arena, is believed to be an isolated incident.<br /><br />Pc David Heasman, 45, from Norfolk Police, said he was punched and kicked by a group of four men who he said claimed to be "Russian mafia", and received a cut to the ear but did not require hospital treatment.<br /><br />Pc Heasman, a married father of two, said he was walking to the stadium when a group of men ran up behind him and his fellow England supporters shouting "we are the Russian mafia".<br /><br />"I turned round and one of them punched me in the face," he said. "I fell to the ground and I felt two kicks to the head. It hurt. I feel upset because it's been a nice atmosphere until now. The police are out in force but they're not there when you need them. They're just standing on show on street corners."<br />
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<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/06/11/england-fan-attacked-euro-2012_n_1586964.html" target="_blank">Read the complete article at Huffington Post</a>.Anton Shekhovtsovhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879900090366760264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4622804242285303566.post-54391640640348804542012-06-11T16:38:00.000+01:002012-06-18T15:27:27.420+01:00Ukraine fans attempted to start a fight with Russia fans in Kyiv, Ukraine<b>Summary</b><br />
<br />
11 June 2012<br />
13 Ukraine fans detained by police for an attempt to start a fight with Russia fans in Kyiv fan-zone.<br />
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<a href="http://korrespondent.net/sport/echampionship/1359576-v-kieve-zaderzhany-13-ukrainskih-bolelshchikov-za-popytku-draki-s-rossijskimi-fanatami" target="_blank">Read the Korrespondent article [in Russian]</a>.Anton Shekhovtsovhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879900090366760264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4622804242285303566.post-35306519899043165362012-06-10T23:32:00.000+01:002012-06-11T12:40:06.499+01:00Italian player Mario Balotelli subjected to racist abuse from Spain fans in Gdansk, Poland<b>Summary</b><br />
10 June 2012<br />
Italian football player Mario Balotelli was subjected to a tirade of racist abuse from around 300 Spanish fans during the 1-1 draw with Spain.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ujRgFpAU1iY/T9XYmdr-gOI/AAAAAAAAApc/C34PCTdXLNg/s1600/Mario-Balotelli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ujRgFpAU1iY/T9XYmdr-gOI/AAAAAAAAApc/C34PCTdXLNg/s320/Mario-Balotelli.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mario Balotelli. Credit: Mirror.co.uk</td></tr>
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Mario Balotelli was racially abused during his side's Euro 2012 opener as hundreds of Spain fans made monkey noises at the Italy striker.<br />
[...]<br />
Photographer Chris Brunskill, a 35-year-old from Liverpool, witnessed the abuse in the 40,000-seater Arena Gdansk in Poland.<br />
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He said: 'I was sat behind the goal with all the Spanish fans behind me and they were involved in monkey chanting and laughter and mockery whenever Balotelli was on the ball.<br />
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'The ringleaders were two fans who were in fancy dress as Spanish tennis player Rafa Nadal. But the stewards just seemed to think it was a laugh, and they did nothing. They seemed to think it was a giggle.<br />
<br />
'These two were at the centre of it in my view but there were hundreds in the Spanish section joining in. I would say there were around 200-300 who joined in at times. It was especially bad when Balotelli was involved in any kind of trouble or altercation, for example when he was booked.'<br />
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Another photographer, Getty's Michael Steele from Wells, Somerset, said: 'I could not see who was involved but it was obvious they were monkey chants. It was disgusting. There is no excuse for it. I am pretty sure Balotelli knew what was going on and heard it as he was close to that section of the crowd when he was booked.<br />
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'There were also what sounded like derogatory chants in Spanish with his name involved, but I do not know what they meant.'<br />
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Greek freelance photographer Yiannis Kourtoglou, 31, who lives in Cyprus, told the Daily Mirror: 'The monkey whoops were from the Spanish end. I could not see how many people were involved but they were clear.<br />
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'They were designed to put him off his game and they clearly worked – he had a terrible match.<br />
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'It was terrible for him and for me as well. He is a human being not a monkey.' It is still unclear if Balotelli or the Italian bench heard the abuse but manager Cesare Prandelli previously said he would back his player in walking off.<br />
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Manchester City star Balotelli, 21, has already been singled out for abuse online with Italian neo-Nazis claiming he should not be playing for the national team.<br />
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<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/euro2012/article-2157538/Euro-2012-Mario-Balotelli-suffers-racist-abuse.html" target="_blank">Read the complete article at The Daily Mail</a>.Anton Shekhovtsovhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879900090366760264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4622804242285303566.post-3317383364959801252012-06-10T23:30:00.000+01:002012-06-12T12:44:23.546+01:00Croatia fan invaded the pitch while others set off fireworks and threw objects in Poznan, Poland<b>Summary</b><br />
10 June 2012<br />
A Croatia fan invaded the pitch while others set off fireworks and threw objects during the Euro 2012 Group C match against the Republic of Ireland.<br />
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<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/jun/12/euro-2012-croatia-charged-by-uefa" target="_blank">Article from The Guardian</a>: <br />
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Croatia has been charged by Uefa after a fan invaded the pitch while others set off fireworks and threw objects during the Euro 2012 Group C match against the Republic of Ireland.<br /><br />Croatia is the fourth country to be charged by Uefa, European football's governing body, for alleged improper conduct by fans during the opening round of European Championship matches in Poland and Ukraine. Uefa is also investigating cases against Russia, Germany and Portugal.<br /><br />A Croatia fan was tackled by stewards after trying to reach the country's coach, Slaven Bilic, following Croatia's 3-1 win against the Irish on Sunday in Poznan.<br /><br />After Croatia led 2-1, the game was delayed while smoke from fireworks was cleared at one end of the stadium packed with Croatia fans.<br /><br />Uefa says its disciplinary panel will review the case on Friday. Croatia is likely to pay a financial penalty.Anton Shekhovtsovhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879900090366760264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4622804242285303566.post-45327461677477004242012-06-10T23:08:00.000+01:002012-06-10T23:10:13.934+01:00Russia fans smashed a bar in Wroclaw, Poland<b>Summary</b><br />
10 June 2012<br />
Four Russia fans detained by police after smashing a bar in Wroclaw.Anton Shekhovtsovhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879900090366760264noreply@blogger.com0