Poland/Russia - Poland tight-lipped on Putin presence

07 June 2012 19:16

Poland declined to say on Thursday whether Russian President Vladimir Putin would attend his nation's in the country, including a politically charged game against the hosts.

"We still don't have any confirmation on that issue," Sports Minister Joanna Mucha told reporters.

Poland and Russia share centuries of bad blood marked by several wars, and Moscow's resurgence under Putin has fuelled antipathy among Poles.

By coincidence June 12 is Russia's national day, and some Poles have questioned whether a planned march to the stadium by Russian fans could turn political.

But Mucha played down that concern.

"Fans march together in support of each and every team. It's completely normal," she said.

Source: AFP