Theo Walcott family will boycott Euro 2012 over racism concerns
The Arsenal forward has been selected in Roy Hodgson’s 23-man party to go to Poland and the Ukraine this summer, but Dad Don and brother Ashley say they can’t risk making the trip.
Ashley tweeted: ‘Unfortunately my dad n i have taken the decision not to travel to the Ukraine because of the fear of possible racist attacks confrontations.
‘Something’s aren’t worth risking, but begs the question why hold a competition of this magnitude in a place that can not police itself for foreigners of any creed to feel safe, but I’ll be watching every minute.
‘Racism has no place in the modern world.’
Hodgson himself expressed his own concerns over the safety of English fans in Eastern Europe, prompting the Foreign Office to issue a warning to the thousands of supporters planning to travel.
‘The issue of racism, especially the Sky report into the hooliganism and violence in Ukraine, is an obvious concern,’ said the England manager.
‘Not least the supporters who go over there and risk maybe getting beaten up.’
Official government advice says: ‘Foreign nationals have been victims of violent crime in Kyiv and other major cities in recent years. In some cases attacks have been racially motivated.
‘Travellers of Asian or Afro-Caribbean descent and individuals from religious minorities should take extra care.’