Airport welcome for England fans

A Russian fan watches the Euro 2012 match between Russia and Czech Republic
9 June 2012

Euro 2012 got off to an exciting start as the football took centre stage following a pre-tournament build-up dominated by racism fears.

Concerns over the behaviour by host nations Poland and Ukraine's right wing "ultra" fans had overshadowed preparations for the competition.

But there were no reports of abuse as Poland and Greece drew 1-1 in a thrilling game before Russia thrashed the Czech Republic 4-1.

England's opening fixture is against France in Donetsk, Ukraine, on Monday night. Fans arriving at the industrial city's airport were greeted with "Welcome To Donetsk" banners and volunteers ready to offer assistance.

Former England international Sol Campbell warned fans to avoid the event after BBC Panorama filmed football fans in Ukraine giving Nazi salutes and taunting black players with monkey noises.

At an open training session in Krakow, Poland on Wednesday, Dutch players were subjected to monkey chants with Holland captain Mark van Bommel branding the incident "a real disgrace".

But asked if he was worried about racism and hooliganism, Mr Dodgson said: "The Ukrainians I've spoken to on the way here were as friendly as you like. They were telling us what there is to do. We think Panorama has been a bit of hype. It didn't put us off."

Apart from problems over racism, the tournament is under the spotlight because of political protests over human rights in Ukraine. UK ministers are boycotting the initial stages in response to the treatment of jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko.

Meanwhile, the England squad was given the chance to put the football into perspective on Friday as they visited former Nazi death camp Auschwitz and Oskar Schindler's factory in Krakow. Sport would have been the last thing on Roy Hodgson and his players' minds as they were given lessons in one of the darkest episodes in Europe's history.

One group, led by Wayne Rooney, Hodgson, and Football Association chairman David Bernstein, headed to Auschwitz. The other, headed by captain Steven Gerrard, coach Gary Neville and FA director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking, visited the Schindler factory museum.

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