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.

As the spectre of racism raised its ugly head before a ball has even been kicked at the tournament, Van Bommel (pictured above) described monkey chants directed towards him as “a real disgrace”.

The incident took place in front of more than 20,000 spectators at the Miejski stadium, home of Wisła Kraków.

UEFA apparently tried to say the chanting was a protest about the city not being given any Euro 2012 matches, but Van Bommel said: “Open your ears.

“If you did hear it, and don’t want to hear it, that is even worse.”

Twenty-four hours earlier, the Netherlands players had visited the nearby Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz (pictured below, Van Bommel second right).

“It is a real disgrace, especially after getting back from Auschwitz, that you are confronted with this,” Van Bommel said.

“If it happens at a match we will talk to the referee and ask him to take us off the field.”

The issue of racism has been heightened since a recent BBC broadcast showed supporters giving Nazi salutes and taunting black players.

Earlier this week UEFA President Michel Platini said referees had been handed the power to stop games if there was racist abuse from the stands.

But he also annoyed anti-discrimination groups by suggesting there was no more racism in Poland and Ukraine than in other areas of Europe.

The tournament kicks off today with joint hosts Poland playing 2004 shock winners Greece in the opening match in Warsaw followed by Russia versus the Czech Republic.

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