UK government to boycott quarterfinal in Kyiv

Downing Street said yesterday UK government officials will not attend England’s quarterfinal Euro-2012 match in Kyiv against Italy on Sunday over concerns about the rule of law and selective justice in Ukraine. A spokeswoman said if England advanced to the semifinal, which would be held in Poland, that ministers would attend.

Brad Wells: Yesterday’s announcement was the first explicit confirmation that the UK’s lack of political support for its team was over Ukrainian policy. UK’s Foreign Office said prior to the tournament that no officials would attend their team’s three group games in Ukraine, but other UK officials explained the snub as due to scheduling conflicts and the need to prepared to host for the Olympics. That UK officials are willing to attend games in Poland but not Ukraine is sure not to go over well with the Ukrainian government, but we do not expect any change in Ukrainian policy as a result of the boycott.