Should We Boycott Euro 2012..?
Posted: 02 May 2012, 18:09
Austria, although they are not in the finals, has already done so. Why? Because the Ukraine had jailed its opposition leader after a trumped up political trial, and there are now reports, with photographic evidence, that she has been badly abused and mistreated by her jailers. This in a country which purports to be democratic and is a priority partner within the European Neighbourhood Policy.
There are those who argue that sport should stay out of politics and politics should stay out of sport. Of course that would be the ideal in an ideal world. Unfortunately, there have been many instances where politics has interferred with sport, and where some sports at times have appeared to give succour to evil regimes. There have also been examples where boycotts have helped shape countries' futures for the better, as in the boycotts of Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and South Africa in the times of apartheid.
So what about Ukrainne and Euro 2012..? Should the FA, FIFA and EUFA take a stand? Should our governments be doing more? I have a feeling that if we leave it to governments, nothing would happen! So should we ourselves be doing/saying something about it to our leaders?
There are those who argue that sport should stay out of politics and politics should stay out of sport. Of course that would be the ideal in an ideal world. Unfortunately, there have been many instances where politics has interferred with sport, and where some sports at times have appeared to give succour to evil regimes. There have also been examples where boycotts have helped shape countries' futures for the better, as in the boycotts of Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and South Africa in the times of apartheid.
So what about Ukrainne and Euro 2012..? Should the FA, FIFA and EUFA take a stand? Should our governments be doing more? I have a feeling that if we leave it to governments, nothing would happen! So should we ourselves be doing/saying something about it to our leaders?