Poland and Ukraine issue 'Unity' statement
Polish and Ukrainian football supporters issued a joint ‘Unity’ statement on the occasion of the Poland vs Ukraine friendly game last Saturday (4 September).
The statement, in Polish, Ukrainian and English, was distributed at a Euro 2012 press conference in Lodz, where the match was played. The fans were brought together by the FARE (Football Against Racism in Europe) network.
“We welcome the joint statement as a good sign for ever stronger cooperation between Polish and Ukrainian FARE partners in the run up to UEFA Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine” said Dr Rafal Pankowski, the coordinator of FARE’s Eastern European Development Project.
“Euro 2012 is not only a big sport tournament, but a historic event in Polish-Ukrainian relations. Euro 2012 is a chance to bring our nations together, to act against divisions, prejudices and xenophobia. Euro 2012 is a chance to promote European humanitarian values, human rights and progress.
On the occasion of today’s friendly game, as football fans we want to proclaim our willingness to cooperate against prejudices and discrimination, to build trust between our nations.
“We want to use the time ahead of Euro 2012 to build bridges that will be a lasting legacy of the European Championship.”