Moscow: Russia’s strongman Vladimir Putin has criticized European leaders for planning a boycott to next month’s Euro 2012 football finals.
According to media reports, European leaders has been raising concerns over the treatment by Ukrainian authorities of former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko.
According to a CNN report, German chancellor Angela Merkel has raised her concerns at Tymoshenko’s treatment, while European Union president Herman Van Rompuy, European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso and the governments of Austria and Belgium have all said they will not be attending any matches in Ukraine in protest.
Prime Minister Putin has flayed the plans and said sport and politics should be kept separate.
“In absolutely every case, you can’t mix politics, business and other issues with sport,” Putin was quoted as saying by Russian news agency Novosti.
“I stick to the principle professed and supported by the International Olympic Committee — sport is outside politics.” he told the news agency.
Dear TNT Reader,
At The News Tribe, our mission is to bring you free, independent, and unbiased news and content that keeps you informed and empowered. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism, as we understand that we are a platform for truth.
Apart from independent global news coverage, we also commit our unique focus on the Muslim world. In an age marked by the troubling rise of Islamophobia and widespread misrepresentation of Muslims in Western media, we strive to provide accurate and fair coverage.
But to continue doing so, we need your support. Even a small donation of 1$ can make a big difference. Your contribution will help us maintain the quality of our news and counteract the negative narratives that are so prevalent.
Please consider donating today to ensure we can keep delivering the news that matters. Together, we can make a positive impact on the world, and work towards a more inclusive, informed global society.
Donate Monthly Subscription Annual Subscription