By Andrew Warshaw
May 1 – UEFA have been quick to defend Ukraine as safe 2012 European Championship joint hosts after the country was rocked by a series of blasts in Dnipropetrovsk that injured 30 people.
In what smacked of a trouble-shooting exercise designed to stave off the threat of fans refusing to travel to the politically troubled country, European football’s governing body issued a statement assuring the world that there was little or nothing to worry about.
“The security situation around the tournament, and in particular in Ukraine following the recent events in Dnipropetrovsk, was thoroughly reviewed,” UEFA said following a meeting with members of the Local Organising Committee.
“UEFA received a clear assurance by the Governments of the host countries that all necessary steps are being taken to guarantee the safety of all visitors, from fans to participating players.”
Four bombs planted in rubbish bins in various downtown locations of Dnipropetrovsk exploded at short intervals last Friday (April 27).
Authorities said the blasts were a deliberate attempt to destabilise the country but relations between Ukraine and the rest of Europe have been strained by the conviction of leading opposition politician Yulia Tymoshenko last October.
“UEFA alerted the Ukrainian delegation about the concerns raised by the political situation in Ukraine among European politicians and media,” UEFA said.
“Even though UEFA, as a sports organisation, never interferes in political matters, UEFA has asked the Ukrainian delegation to convey these concerns to the competent authorities.”
A German Government spokesman has already said any visit by Chancellor Angela Merkel during Euro 2012 would be linked to Tymoshenko’s fate.
Several other leaders also said they planned to scrap visits to Ukraine over the case.
In Brussels, a spokeswoman for European Commission President José Manuel Barroso said he would not visit Ukraine because of Tymoshenko’s treatment.
“As far as the President is concerned, it is clear that as things stand now, the President has no intention of going to Ukraine or indeed participating in events in Ukraine at this point in time,” Pia Ahrenkilde Hansen told a briefing.
Tymoshenko, 51, who was jailed for seven years after a court ruled she exceeded her powers as Prime Minister, is in a prison in the city of Kharkiv – one of the venues of the Championship.
Ukraine is desperate to make a success of the Euros, the first major football tournament to be held in Eastern Europe, but has been plagued by organisational worries.
Last month UEFA President Michel Platini accused Ukraine’s hoteliers of being “bandits and crooks” for hiking up prices to exorbitant rates.
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