By Andrew Warshaw
June 11 – Polish football officials admit tomorrow’s Euro 2012 encounter between the joint hosts and Russia could potentially erupt into nationalist fervour.
Poland and Russia have endured a long history of troubled relations, not least during four decades of Soviet dominance under communism.
Russian fans are planning a march towards the National Stadium in Warsaw on what is the country’s Independence Day, a move viewed as provocative by some in Poland.
Polish Football Association (PZPN) President Grzegorz Lato (pictured below) and Adam Olkowicz, tournament director of the Polish half of the Euro 2012 competition being shared with Ukraine, urged spectators not to let sport and politics mix.
Lato acknowledged the clash in Warsaw would be “a very difficult match” while Olkowicz added: “While all political considerations should be left aside… I think all the security forces are aware of potential threats so we need to prepared for any kind of scenario.”
Poland and the Soviets were drawn in the same group at the 1982 World Cup finals amid the pro-democracy Solidarity movement in the former’s Gdansk shipyards.
“I played several matches against the Russians, especially in 1982 at the World Cup in Spain when we were in the same group and political aspects were very important at that time,” Lato said.
“But tomorrow is a sporting event and I don’t like politics to get into this.
“We are staying away from the politics.
“We are not interested in those issues created by the mass media.
“It’s a sports event and should stay that way.”
UEFA, European football’s governing body, has already launched disciplinary proceedings against the Russia football Federation for its fans’ behaviour (pictured top) during and after their country’s 4-1 win over the Czech Republic on the tournament’s opening day last Friday (June 8).
As well as an assault on a handful of stewards, the fans also accused of displaying a nationalist flag and throwing fireworks onto the pitch.
As a result, security has been heightened for tomorrow’s game for which 10,000 Russian fans have bought tickets.
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