UEFA to Crack Down on Racism at Euro 2012

Following the allegations of racist abuse at a Holland training session, UEFA have pledged they will take action against racism during the Euro 2012.

Members of Bert van Marwijk’s squad were allegedly subjected to monkey chants at Wisla Krakow’s Miejski Stadium on Wednesday, with captain Mark van Bommel branding the incident “a real disgrace”.

Having been satisfied by the Dutch FA’s initial assurances the abuse was not racially-motivated, UEFA announced they had been made aware of “isolated incidents of racist chanting”. European football’s governing body confirmed they would consider increasing the number of stewards at open training sessions in order to eject fans if there was a repeat.

UEFA said in a statement: “UEFA has now been made aware that there were some isolated incidents of racist chanting that occurred at the open training session of the Dutch team. Should such behaviour happen at further training sessions, UEFA would evaluate the operational measures to be taken to protect the players.

“UEFA has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to discriminatory behaviour and has given the power to referees to stop matches in case of any repeated racist behaviour.”

Holland winger Ibrahim Afellay, who is black, said in De Telegraaf: “The only thing that you can say is that there are more madmen roaming than trapped. I hear certain things. When you’re a footballer, you must be strong, because you hear it all the time – when you enter the pitch, when you take a throw-in, or when you take a corner.”