Ukraine

Former Tottenham striker Garth Crooks has spoken at the launch for anti-racism group FARE's Euro 2012 project, saying that he believes players should walk off the pitch if they can't cope with racial abuse.

Major Euro 2012 sponsor Carlsberg are in support of UEFA bringing the tournament to Poland and the Ukraine, with marketing senior vice president Khalil Younes insisting that the encouragement of debate around racial problems helps bring the issues to light.

Manchester United Winger Ashley Young says he experienced racial abuse on a football field when he was only 11 years old. Still, instead of crying, reacting violently or walking off field, he went on and scored two goals in that game.

French attacking midfielder Samir Nasri has again hit out at Arsenal and their supporters by saying that he is glad that he left the Gunners to join Manchester City.

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has revealed he will never move to England to join Manchester United, despite sustained efforts by the Red Devils' boss Sir Alex Ferguson to secure his signature

Japan manager Alberto Zaccheroni believes playmaker Shinji Kagawa has all the qualities required to be a success at Manchester United

Arriving in Warsaw at around 11pm on Thursday night, a big day was following for me, and a lot of issues were bound to come to light.

Euro 2012: Germany v Portugal, Live Stream, Where to Watch Online; Team News, Facts, Preview and Line-ups

With reports of Croatian playmaker Luka Modric making a possible move to Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur have made it clear that they will not give up their star player for a fee less than £40 million, according to the Independent.

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand feels that his international career has ended after he was left out from the England squad for the 2012 Euros.

CSKA Moscow midfielder Alan Dzagoev will have done his transfer value no end of good, after a brace in Russia's 4-1 opening game win against the Czech Republic

After the popularity of psychic powers of Paul the Octopus, who was widely known for predicting the results during the 2010 World Cup - many animals have lined up to predict the winners of Euro 2012 soccer championships.

Liverpool legend Alan Hansen believes England's wingers must provide Andy Carroll with a good supply of crosses if the striker is to thrive at the European Championships.

Ukraine will get a bigger one-time boost, but Poland's may see better longer-term prospects from European Football jamboree

Euro 2012: Poland v Greece, Live Stream, Where to Watch Online; Team News, Facts, Preview and Line-ups

UEFA will move to protect players should racial chanting continue during training sessions, according to the governing body.

Kenny Dalglish believes England's chances at the European Championship will hinge on their fortunes prior to the return of striker Wayne Rooney.

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes Roy Hodgson's England side won't be pretty to watch during Euro 2012 but could prove effective at grinding out results in the tournament's latter stages.

Euros 2012 in racism storm after claims of monkey chants and racial slurs during open training session in Poland.

So British ministers will be boycotting England's three opening games at the Euro 2012 football tournament being jointly held by Ukraine and Poland?

With the European Championship starting on Friday, IBTimes UK felt it the ideal time to make some predictions ahead of the finals in Poland and Ukraine.

Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson has tipped France to win Euro 2012 but believes England and the Republic of Ireland will both make the quarter-final stage.

Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira has backed France to beat England in their Group D opener in Donetsk on 11 June.

Players who leave the field because of racial abuse during the summer's 2012 European Championships will be booked, indicated UEFA president Michel Platini. The former French international said the caution would be shown to any player who left the field without the referee's permission, regardless of any perceived discrimination.

'Psychic' pig looks to repeat success of Paul the octopus in predicting outcome of European football championship in Poland and Ukraine.

The European Consumers' Organisation (BEUC) has issued a warning to football supporters against buying jerseys of nine nations competing at Euro 2012, after research discovered the shirts contained toxic chemicals

Spanish attacking midfielder David Silva says that he has no plans of leaving Premier League Champions Manchester City despite speculations suggesting that he will be making a return to the La Liga.

Liverpool legend Alan Hansen has tipped Spain to lift the European Championship trophy in the Olympic Stadium on 1st July but cautioned that Germany and the Netherlands could provide stiff opposition to the reigning World and Euro champions.

Chelsea central defenders Gary Cahill and John Terry face injury scares ahead of the European Championships, as Roy Hodgson hints at the possibility of making Manchester United's Wayne Rooney the vice-captain

Danny Welbeck's first international goal ensured England completed their European Championships preparations in ideal fashion with victory over Belgium at Wembley.