European Integration and Racial Controversy at Euro 2012<\/b><\/p>\n
Soccer is often described as the “beautiful game,” captivating people around the world with its simplicity and ability to bring people together. This can be seen from the lowliest back alley pick up game to the worldwide tournaments that attract millions. In many instances however, major soccer events are sought after\u00a0for reasons beyond an appreciation of the sport. \u00a0Hosting a major tournament has become a way for countries to show their best side to the world and to secure political and economic benefits that last after the final game is done. \u00a0But soccer\u00a0has a dark side as well, a history of racial and ethnic intolerance and violence that can show a nation at its worst.\u00a0 In 2012,\u00a0Poland and the Ukraine defied expectations and demonstrated that a concerted effort by all participants keeps racism in the shadows.<\/p>\n
In 2007 the host nation bid for the game was awarded to Poland and Ukraine. It would be the first time in nearly forty years an Eastern European country would host the tournament, let alone two previous Soviet-Bloc countries. Both nations hoped to gain significant political, economic, and social benefits from the games. The two nations worked for five years to get ready for the event, overcoming a myriad of obstacles along the way. As the games drew closer, Poland and the Ukraine had in place the stadiums; the infrastructure and a program ready to accommodate the prestigious tournament.<\/p>\n
Despite these preparations, with just weeks to go before the first match, fears of soccer\u2019s dark side cast a shadow over the tournament. The BBC\u2019s Panorama series produced a documentary titled Euro 2012: Stadiums of Hate<\/i>. The thirty-seven minute long show interviewed fans, players, activists and officials to investigate the serious accusations of racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and violence concerning the fans and clubs in the two host nations. Footage from the documentary displayed an outpouring of violence and racism from fans in both countries. \u00a0Other footage followed community activists in Poland and Ukraine fighting against what looked to be overwhelming racist public sentiment in both nations. The most powerful remarks of the documentary came from former England football captain Sol Campbell who stated, \u201cYou could end up coming back in a coffin\u2026stay home, watch it on TV\u2026don\u2019t even risk it.\u201d[1]<\/a> The accusations of racism in Poland and Ukraine captured one of the greatest fears of the two host nations. <\/b><\/p>\n Great Expectations and the Barcelona Effect<\/b><\/p>\n International sporting events have long been vehicles for political agendas and national pride. Alan Bairner states in his article Nationalism and Sport, \u201cThis relationship manifests itself in\u2026the enduring popularity of international competitions, events, and contests, and in the myriads ways in which politicians politically motivated groups have sought to harness sport to national causes.\u201d[2]<\/a> While the majority of the attention is given to the actual play on the field and the victors, in recent times there has emerged a second objective, increased national prestige for the host nation. International sporting events are unique chances for host nations to gain international recognition for themselves in a myriad of ways. Nazi Germany used the 1936 Olympics to highlight its fascist ideology and Aryan superiority. More recently in 2008 China showcased its economic might and world stature in one of the most extravagant opening displays of any ceremony. In addition to national pride there is the so-called \u2018Barcelona Effect,\u2019 named after the 1992 summer Olympics in Barcelona. The games motivated Barcelona to spend billions on infrastructure and making the city more tourist city. The games did wonders for Barcelona, which is now one of Europe\u2019s top tourist destinations. To this day, nations compete to host games in the hopes that they to will benefit as economically and socially as Barcelona.<\/p>\n While the Olympics remain the standard for international games, soccer has become an increasingly globalized sport and it too attracts attention from all over the world. Mussolini was one of the first leaders to use international soccer tournaments to his nations advantage; by broadcasting his regimes might during the 1920s and 1930s. In recent times these tournaments, particularly FIFA, have followed the trend of granting host nation status to countries outside of soccer\u2019s traditional European and South American sphere. It began in 2002 with the World Cup being held in both Japan and South Korea, acknowledging the massive Asian soccer fan base. South Korea\u2019s team surprised millions as it advanced to the semi finals of the tournament. The 2010 World Cup was played in South Africa, the first time a major tournament was hosted on the soccer-crazed continent. By acknowledging the massive soccer fan base in Africa FIFA in turn placed a great demand on the host nation to meet the standards set before it. Many doubted that South Africa, a nation plagued with a multitude of social and economic problems, was capable of meeting the task. However the nation rose to the challenge producing what FIFA president Sepp Blatter declared to be a \u201ca success for everybody, \u00a0for Africa, for South Africa and for FIFA.\u201d[3]<\/a> Subsequent World Cup host bids have been awarded to Brazil, Russia, and Qatar, all of which will be first time hosts of the tournament.<\/p>\n Ukrainian and Polish Expectations and Obstacles for 2012<\/b><\/p>\n In 2007, UEFA continued with this trend of moving major events to non-traditional venues by handing the bids to Poland and Ukraine. Both nations saw this as a major opportunity. It would be the first time that Eastern European countries would host the European Cup in nearly forty years. Both national teams were under \u201cno illusions\u201d that their team would win the tournament.[4]<\/a> Instead the national victory would come in the form of successfully hosting the tournament. The bids were an acknowledgement of the reintegration of the former Soviet-Bloc countries into Europe, through the most European of sports, soccer. Both countries, as well, hoped for a \u2018Barcelona Effect\u2019 that would spur future tourism and investment. Just as the 2006 World Cup in Germany allowed for German Nationalism to once again reemerge, albeit in a heavily subdued manner, Euro 2012 was to be a reemergence for the former Bloc countries.<\/p>\n In the five years leading up to the championship both Poland and Ukraine fought off increasing skepticism of their capabilities as host nations. While the traditional fear of \u2018Will the stadiums be built in time?\u2019 was the foremost topic of concern, critics raised a number of other issues surrounding both nations\u2019 efforts to host the event. Poland was accused of corruption and bribery in regards to construction of its stadiums and infrastructure. Many political groups used the publicity surrounding the events to call attention to Ukraine\u2019s human rights records, threatening a boycott. These issues were in turn compounded by the heavy financial burden upon both nations due to the Euro Zone financial crisis. Both countries had poured billions of dollars into creating stadiums and a solid infrastructure at a time when world economies were collapsing and governments were curtailing spending. Despite these obstacles, on the eve of the tournament it appeared that Ukraine and Poland were set to host a \u2018historical\u2019 European championship.<\/p>\n Ukrainian and Polish Soccer Violence in Context<\/b><\/p>\n The BBC documentary was a blow to the expectations of the Poles and the Ukrainians. The BBC\u2019s focus on racism in both Polish and Ukrainian soccer leagues introduced a lurking topic that was previously unmentioned regarding the tournament. The footage in the documentary presented the two countries as literal hotbeds of racism and violence. The crew traveled to nine stadiums throughout Poland and Ukraine recording racist chanting, signs and displays at all of the games. In Ukraine the crew filmed a brutal assault on Asian supporters in a stadium to be used for the 2012 games. In Kiev, they captured fans of Karpaty Lviv hurling racist abuses at black players and their families. \u2018White Pride\u2019 banners were ubiquitous at the matches, and interviews with black players in both nations revealed a deep concern over a racist fan base. Perhaps most disconcerting was the anti-Semitic chanting that the crew discovered being shouted by supporters in both Poland and Ukraine.<\/p>\n The BBC documentary fed into widely held perceptions that Eastern European states are deeply intolerant. This view of both countries is compounded by the long history of anti-Semitism in Eastern Europe and atrocities committed during the Holocaust. The fact that both Ukraine and Poland both have relatively homogenous populations has added to the belief that xenophobia and racism are rife. In all regards the BBC\u2019s footage was shocking, as it confirmed popular views that Polish and Ukrainian football fans are unruly mobs incapable of restraining their aggression. The documentary was a blow to Polish and Ukrainian pride, especially coming from an esteemed news source as the BBC. News groups around the world rebroadcasted the story of Polish and Ukrainian soccer racism.<\/p>\n Soccer\u2019s Dark Side<\/b><\/p>\n While the documentary was overwhelmingly negative it was bold in bringing light to a problem that has long brewed in soccer in many countries. Racism and soccer have for decades been inextricably linked together. With the increasing movement of players from Africa, Asia and South America to European leagues, racial tensions have unfolded both on and off the field. Arguably one of the worst periods of racial tension for soccer occurred in the 1970s and 1980s when European teams, particularly the English, first began fielding large amounts of minority players. At the time soccer hooliganism was rampant and violent racial encounters occurred with jarring frequency. Many British teams were even forbidden from competing on the continent due to their violent fan base. Realizing the severity of the issue clubs and leagues soon began addressing the racial tensions between fans and players. Huge inroads were made combating racial violence at matches; nonetheless within the last decade soccer has seen an increase in reported racial incidents. \u00a0As one writer remarked \u201cRacism in European soccer is not a new phenomenon, but a cyclic one.\u201d[5]<\/a><\/p>\n The BBC documentary videos shot in Ukraine and Poland re-awakened a fear that the soccer violence of the 1970s and 1980s would return.\u00a0 The video fed the belief that fans of Eastern European clubs have a propensity for violent racism, much worse than those of Western clubs. In addition to the fears of racism in soccer, the documentary symbolized the general fear of accepting these two Eastern European nations into the fold. Many of the former Soviet-Blocs have struggled to reintegrate into the EU zone and this tournament was one of the ways in which Poland and Ukraine could show their suitability. In this way the documentary was a double blow to both host nations. By accusing them of racism the BBC called into question their ability to be proper hosts of the Euro 2012 games. This in turn subtlety questioned both countries place as players in European society; If they could not function in the Europe\u2019s sport, soccer, how could they function as European nations? It was under these heavy clouds that the tournament began.<\/p>\n Battling Racism and Getting to \u2018Barcelona\u2019<\/b><\/p>\n Solving the issue of racism at soccer events involves an effort from all parties. The governing bodies, such as EUFA and FIFA have learned from the experiences of the 1970-80s and have moved in recent years to stem racisms reappearance in the sport. New laws have been introduced fining clubs and players should any racist actions occur. Referees and officials have even been granted the power to stop games indefinitely should they discover racism from players or fans. In addition to these laws groups such as Football Against Racism in Europe, FARE, are formed to keep track of racial incidents and to help raise awareness against its spread. Using their powers of celebrity, players as well have taken a stance against racism with campaigns such as \u2018Stand Up, Speak Up\u2019 and displays of solidarity before matches.<\/b><\/p>\n Poland and Ukraine, undoubtedly feeling the extra pressure from the BBC documentary, increased their efforts to ensure intolerance displays did not mar the games. \u00a0Part of this was the adoption of campaigns that had been successful in other parts of Europe. In conjunction with government authorities, grass-roots campaigns and NGOs, such as Poland\u2019s \u2018Never Again\u2019 produced anti-racist literature and held seminars to combat intolerance. In an appeal to civic pride and hospitality, host nation fans were repeatedly asked by their governments to ensure that racist displays did not appear in the stadiums. In addition to their public relations efforts, both nations increased the visibility of their police forces, including special riot units, to patrol venues and enforce anti-racist and anti-violence laws. Both the Ukraine and Poland issued statement reassuring the soccer world that they were taking \u2018all necessary steps\u2019 to ensure that events at the tournament would not mimic scenes from the documentary.<\/p>\n In the end the Euro 2012 tournament did not turn into the nightmare the BBC predicted. Few incidents of racism by fans and players occurred and of the teams fined by UEFA for racist outbursts from fans, Poland and Ukraine were not among them. For the most part, the visiting fans imported controversy. Russian fans attacked Polish stewards at a match on Russia\u2019s national day, reawakening the terrible history between these two countries. In another match, German fans \u201cunfurled a neo-Nazi flag\u2026against Denmark,\u201d an extreme taboo considering Germany\u2019s history in Poland and Ukraine.[6]<\/a> Even the champions of the match, Spain, suffered embarrassment as their team was fined for their fan\u2019s racist taunts. The Polish and Ukrainian fans were, for the most part, restrained and the people of both nations displayed hospitality on all levels. Perhaps the greatest reward for both nations came in the form of a photo of joyous British fans carrying a fake coffin bearing the statement, \u2018You\u2019re wrong Campbell.\u2019<\/p>\n Overall Euro 2012 was an enormous success for Poland and Ukraine. The benefits were so great in Poland that economist have predicted that the country is \u201clikely to have a bigger long-term impact on the economy\u2026than Barcelona reaped from staging the 1992 Olympics,\u201d redubbing it \u2018The Poland Effect\u2019.[7]<\/a>\u00a0 UEFA president Platini heaped praise on the games: \u201cThis Euros, the first in the east, has been a resounding success, a real triumph. Poland and Ukraine showed the whole world that they can organize this type of event and they needn\u2019t have concerns. They can be proud of the work they\u2019ve done, their enthusiasm and the final results.\u201d[8]<\/a><\/p>\n Despite all of the benefits that soccer can convey in terms of\u00a0 national self-esteem and economic benefits, it does in fact have an ugly side and to overwhelm the hopes that host nations will host a successful event. In 2012, given the chance, Poland and Ukraine showed the world that they were capable of facing the issue of racism and producing a successful event. Racism will always be an issue at major events, Euro 2012 demonstrated however, that concerted action by all participants can contain its worst excesses.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n [1]<\/a> K.T. \u201cEuro 2012 is overshadowed by accusations of racism and anti-Semitism,\u201d The Economist, June 6, 2012, accessed January 18, <\/sup>2014, http:\/\/www.economist.com\/blogs\/easternapproaches\/2012\/06\/ugly-spectre.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n [2]<\/a> Bairner, Alan. \u201cNationalism and Sport,\u201d in Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology, ed. by George Ritzer. Blackwell Publishing, 2007. Blackwell Reference Online.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n [3]<\/a> Max De Luca, \u201cOver 2 billion generated from tournament,\u201dGoal.com, Accessed January 17, 2014<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.goal.com\/en-india\/news\/628\/other-topstories\/2011\/03\/04\/2378109\/sepp-blatter-2010-world-cup-a-stunning-financial-success-for<\/p>\n<\/div>\n [4]<\/a> Alex Law, \u201cPlaying With Tension: National Charisma and Disgrace at Euro 2012, \u201cSoccer & Society, (2013): 7<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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