Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain And Joleon Lescott's Family Not Travelling To European Championship Over Racism Fears

Oxlade-Chamberlain's Family Latest To Stay Away From Ukraine

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Joeleon Lescott are two more of England's black squad members to state their families will not travel to the Poland and Ukraine European Championship over racism fears.

The duo's confirmation follow's Theo Walcott's brother Ashley last week tweeting he and his father would not watch the Arsenal forward at Euro 2012.

Lescott said at an England press conference yesterday: "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."

Lescott's family had reached their decision before recent reports of Ukrainian hooliganism with racial tendencies however.

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

"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."

Three Lions squad member John Terry will plead not guilty to a racism charge at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 9 July after the Euros.

The former England captain is alleged to have racially abused Anton Ferdinand during QPR's 1-0 defeat of Chelsea at Loftus Road on 23 October last year.

Ferdinand's brother, Rio, outstanding at two previous World Cups, was however not selected by Roy Hodgson in his 23-man squad, as he agonised over whether to take both him and Terry.

Hodgson revealed Ferdinand's omission was due to "footballing reasons" and byt virtue of one appearance in the last year for the national side. Although England captain Steven Gerrard has played just 33 minutes for the national side in 19 months.

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