Germany and Portugal charged with misconduct at Euro 2012
By Andrew Warshaw
June 11 – UEFA have sanctioned two more countries for falling foul of the rules at Euro 2012 – this time nothing to do with racism.
World Tournaments
UEFA to launch investigation after Russian fans accused of racism
By Andrew Warshaw
June 10 – UEFA are considering taking action against Russia – hosts of the 2018 World Cup – following yet more alarming reports of racism at Euro 2012.
Lowy announces Board for 2015 Asian Cup
By Duncan Mackay
June 9 – Football Federation Australia (FFA) chairman Frank Lowy (pictured) has announced the Board for the 2015 Asian Cup.
World Cup organiser boycotts Euro 2012 over racism fears
By Andrew Warshaw
June 9 – Danny Jordaan, the man in charge of organising the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, is boycotting the European Championship finals in Poland and Ukraine in protest at the racism reports that plagued the build-up to the tournament which began last night.
Netherlands decides not to make racism complaint to UEFA
By Andrew Warshaw
June 8 – The Dutch Football Association has reportedly decided to make no official complaint to UEFA after skipper Mark van Bommel was subject to racist abuse at an open training session two days before the start of the 2012 European Championship.
UK Government boycott Euro 2012 over Ukraine’s human rights record
By Andrew Warshaw
June 8 – The British Government has joined the Europe-wide condemnation of Ukraine’s human rights record by announcing it will snub the group phase of the 2012 European Championship because of the “selective justice” meted out to jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko.
Referees given power to stop Euro 2012 matches in zero-tolerance racism policy
By Andrew Warshaw
June 7 – UEFA President Michel Platini says referees will have no hesitation in halting matches at the 2012 European Championship if any of the players report being racially abused from the stands.
A positive Michel Platini opens Euro 2012 broadcasting centre in Poland
By David Gold
June 7 – UEFA President Michel Platini has helped unveil the 2012 European Championship International Broadcasting Centre (IBC) in Warsaw, while insisting he was “sure we are going to have a fine Euros”.
ICSS director Helmut Spahn to lead Euro 2012 security operation
By Andrew Warshaw
June 6 – Helmut Spahn, the former high-ranking German policeman who ran the security operation for the 2006 World Cup in his homeland, has been given a similar role for the forthcoming European Championship finals in Poland and Ukraine.
“Mixed feelings” over expansion for Euro 2016 finals, admits DFB President
By Andrew Warshaw
June 6 – German Football Association (DFB) President Wolfgang Niersbach has expressed his concern over UEFA’s decision to increase the size of the European Championship finals from 16 to 24 teams.
UEFA President Platini backs Germany and Spain for glory at Euro 2012
By Andrew Warshaw
June 6 – UEFA President Michel Platini is backing the usual suspects, Germany and Spain, to triumph at the 2012 European Championship amid concerns that tickets are still available for the tournament in Poland and Ukraine that starts on Friday (June 8).
Bellamy to be one of Team GB’s three over-age players for London 2012, he claims
By Duncan Mackay
June 5 – Craig Bellamy has been selected as one of three over-age players selected by Britain for the London 2012 Olympics, he has claimed.
Culture and sport to collide at Euro 2012 Opening Ceremony
By David Gold
June 5 – The Opening Ceremony of the UEFA 2012 European Championship in Warsaw’s National Stadium on Friday (June 8) will bring culture and sport together, claims the company putting on the event, Filmmaster.
Coach Prandelli has “no problem” with Italy being pulled from Euro 2012
By David Gold
June 4 – Italy coach Cesare Prandelli (pictured left) would have “no problem” if they were to pull out of the European Championships as a result of the match fixing scandal in the country, he claimed.
UEFA joins forces with FARE for Euro 2012 anti-discrimination campaign
By Andrew Warshaw
June 1 – The anti-discrimination group, Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE), has linked up with UEFA to monitor obscene chanting and other racist activities at the 2012 European Championship in Poland and Ukraine.