Racism and the European 2012 Championships

There have been a few commentators pointing out that the Euros do not seem to be generating the same level of interest and anticipation as previous tournaments and it seems to be true - it's hard to comprehend that the tournament is just over a week away! Perhaps it is the packed schedule of sports that is dampening the enthusiasm for the event - with the Champions League final barely finished, Promotion play-offs and a thrilling Premier League finale also all filling the airwaves of late, it would not be surprising to hear that all but the most die-hard fans could do with a couple of weeks rest from football (and that's not to mention all the other sports on at the moment - Rugby finals galore, Test Match cricket, Formula One in Monaco and so on...).

But the most likely explanation is that the torrent of negative publicity regarding racism in the host countries - Ukraine and Poland - has eroded enthusiasm for the tournament. A picture has been painted of large groups of fans who regularly abuse players and fellow fans (even from the same team) based on the colour of the skin or their religion (frequently anti-semitic - which is especially upsetting given the history of the region, as highlighted in this very thought provoking article). Having personal experience of living in Poland it is sadly largely true that football there does not have a good reputation. Families shun going to see matches as a direct result of fear of violence from a hardcore groups of fans - violence which, based on personal experience, can even reach as far down as five-a-side football leagues. And although many people would say that it is fine to go and see games so long as you were sensible and keep out of trouble (I must confess I never ventured that far myself), that is surely not the point - how can you enjoy watching the game if you're trying to keep out of harm's way and being witness to racism? And that's before you'd even consider taking the whole family along to enjoy a day out.

And yet I must also point out that this group of fans is a very small minority of trouble makers and I'm sure that all fans who arrive in good spirits to enjoy the football will be welcomed with the warmth and generosity that is characteristic of the vast majority of the population in Poland and Ukraine. My bad experiences in local five-a-side leagues was quickly tempered by the organisers swiftly banning the offending team and the authroities have the opportunity to make a similarly swift statement of intent in case any trouble does arise. The tournament also has the power to promote the sport among a broader populace and push the violent, racist minority to the fringes of the game (and eventually, one would hope, out completely) - just look at the therapeutic effect that Euro 96 had on the game of football in England, going a long way towards ending the hooligan image of English football fans across Europe. I hope the same will be true of Euro 2012...