• Euro 2012

Racism fears keep Ox's family away from Euro 2012

ESPN staff
May 25, 2012
Uncapped Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was a surprise inclusion in Roy Hodgson's England squad © Getty Images
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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's family will not travel to Euro 2012 this summer due to concerns over racist abuse.

Euro 2012 will be hosted by Poland and Ukraine, with the latter country blighted by sections of fans associated with racism.

The British Foreign Office has warned of Ukraine that "travellers of Asian or Afro-Caribbean descent and individuals belonging to religious minorities should take extra care".

England's three Group D matches are in Ukraine - although the team will be stationed in Poland - which is putting off some of England's players from taking their families to the tournament.

Theo Walcott has already confirmed his relatives will not be attending, while widespread reports in Friday's media suggest the family of his Arsenal team-mate Oxlade-Chamberlain, 18, have made the same decision.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, defender Joleon Lescott, whose family will also be staying at home, said: "It's a shame for some members of the squad that their families feel they can't go and it's a situation that needs to be addressed.

"It was quite alarming to see the reports about the situation out there, but even before the reports, my family weren't going.

"Maybe if I'm playing and we get to the final, my family will want to go out there, but my main concern is that they have a good summer and if they're happy, I'm happy. And they're happy staying at home."

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