SOL CAMPBELL WARNS AGAINST ATTENDING 2012

'You could end up coming back in a coffin': Sol Campbell warns England fans to stay away from Euro 2012
By DAMIEN GAYLE
PUBLISHED: 07:35 GMT, 28 May 2012 | UPDATED: 20:14 GMT, 28 May 2012


Former England footballer Sol Campbell has warned fans to stay away from the European Championships because they 'could end up coming back in a coffin'.
The former Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur defender fears supporters could be targeted by gangs of violent neo-Nazi racists in host nations Poland and Ukraine.
Campbell, who won 73 caps for England, has insisted UEFA were wrong to award such a prestigious tournament to the two countries.

Warning: Sol Campbell has told England fans to stay away from the European Championships
The 37-year-old told the BBC’s Panorama: ‘Stay at home, watch it on TV. Don’t even risk it ... because you could end up coming back in a coffin.
'I think they were wrong (to award Euro 2012 to Poland and Ukraine), because what they should say is that if you want this tournament you sort your problems out.

‘Until we see that you have sorted it out, you are never going to get the tournament. You do not deserve these prestigious tournaments in your country.’
The families of several black players, including Theo Walcott, Joleon Lescott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, have said they will not go, citing concerns about possible racist abuse.
The BBC documentary, to be screened tonight, shows fans giving Nazi salutes, taunting black players with monkey noises and chanting anti-Semitic slogans.
It also shows a group of Asian students being attacked at the Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second city, which will host three group matches.

Violence: Baton-wielding Ukrainian riot police wade into Dynamo Kiev fans during a match at the Olympiyski stadium in Kiev
England face France, Sweden and co-hosts Ukraine in the tournament which kicks off next month. They could also face matches in Poland if they get through to the latter stages of the competition.
Ukrainian extremists have warned black and Asian England fans not to travel to the tournament.
England boss Roy Hodgson warned earlier this month that supporters risk being targeted by right-wing extremists.
'There's no doubt that the issue of racism... hooliganism and violence in Ukraine is obviously a concern for us all, he said.
'Not least the supporters who go over there and risk maybe getting beaten up, or if they don't happen to be white, subjected to a lot of abuse.'
Kevin Miles, from the Football Supporter's Federation, has warned that racism is an 'endemic social problem' in the Ukraine.
'Racism has no place in football but it is a social problem in Ukraine,' he said.

Fearsome: A still of a scene inside the Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv. A BBC documentary aired tonight reveals the violent behaviour of Ukrainian football hooligans
'The Foreign Office advice in normal circumstances to citizens of black or Asian heritage is to exercise caution and we reiterate that.
'We are talking about racism as an endemic social problem. There is no question that UEFA (the tournament organisers) takes this issue very seriously and stewards inside grounds are being trained to deal with it.
'What's more difficult to deal with is away from the football stadium.'
The supporters' group have put together a free guide on their website offering advice to fans travelling to the tournament.
He added: 'Our advice to fans is is to exercise common sense - stay together and don't wonder too far off the beaten track.
'In city centres and in fan zones it should not be an issue. It is when you go beyond that use common sense and stay together.'



Violence: Baton-wielding Ukrainian riot police wade into Dynamo Kiev fans during a match at the Olympiyski stadium in Kiev


Fearsome: A still of a scene inside the Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv. A BBC documentary aired tonight reveals the violent behaviour of Ukrainian football hooligans