English soccer concerned about Euro 2012 racism

By ROB HARRIS

AP Sports Writer

Associated Press Sports

updated 5:30 p.m. ET May 15, 2012

LONDON (AP) - The head of English soccer has raised concerns with UEFA President Michel Platini that players and fans could be racially abused at European Championship matches in Ukraine.

English authorities have been warning that far-right soccer hooligans could spark racist violence at the tournament this summer, which is being co-hosted with Poland.

"I had a meeting with Michel Platini two weeks ago and I raised the subject with him," Football Association chairman David Bernstein said Tuesday. "UEFA are taking the whole potential situation very, very seriously."

Anti-racism groups investigated an 18-month period up to March 2011 and found 195 incidents at matches in Poland and Ukraine.

All three of England's group stage matches are in Ukraine, and referees have the power to stop matches if players are being racially abused.

"We are working on all sorts of contingency plans both for possible issues in stadia or outside the stadia," Bernstein told a British parliamentary hearing into soccer racism. "There are all sorts of things that could happen in Ukraine. We sincerely hope they don't happen, but we are preparing very carefully for any eventualities."

A 24-strong British police presence will be in Poland and Ukraine.

"I think football hooliganism is more of a problem in the Ukraine than perhaps it is at home," said assistant chief constable Andy Holt, who is heading the British police delegation at Euro 2012. "I don't think they are as advanced in dealing with racism."

English soccer, though, has been grappling with its own renewed problems with racism in the past year.

John Terry is due to face trial in July on a charge of racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand during a Premier League match in October, which led to the Chelsea defender being stripped of the England captaincy.

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez served an eight-match ban for racially abusing Manchester United left back Patrice Evra, who is black, during another October match. Suarez was initially backed by Liverpool, whose players were condemned by anti-racism groups for wearing T-shirts featuring the Uruguayan's picture in a show of solidarity.

While not commenting on the Suarez case, Bernstein criticized clubs for backing players even if they are accused of serious offenses like racism.

"Clubs do tend to act like a large family. They do tend to rally round and support each other. They do tend to draw the wagons around and this sort of they all hate us type of thing that makes us stronger," Bernstein said. "It's something that's prevalent in many if not most clubs. ... Should clubs be more introspective? Yes, I think they should attempt to be, most certainly.

"But having chaired a club, I know it's quite difficult. There is a strong temptation to do everything one can to get a winning situation, a winning team, and that includes supporting your colleagues almost right or wrong. So it's a cultural thing, but I think it does need looking at."

The head of England's players' union told the parliamentary hearing that black players fear facing a "torrent of abuse" if they complain about racism in the wake of the Terry and Suarez cases.

"The last thing I want after this season's incidents is for black players to not feel comfortable with the process, that if they do make a complaint that it won't be addressed properly," Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor said. "I also feel there is an element of belief among my younger black players that it's still, `Hmm, I can make a complaint, but..."'

? 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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