UGOCHUKWU UKAH: I Do Not Agree With SOL CAMPBELL

During the week, Nigeria international Ugochukwu Ukah featured on the BBC Panorama programme. Interviewed by the anchor, the former Widzew Lodz defender complained that he was racially abused by rival supporters in Poland.

Poland's biggest and most influential sports daily Przeglad Sportowy contacted Ukah to clarify his statements.

What were you doing in London?
Ugochukwu Ukah: ''I was with my family on vacation.''

Are you sure you did not run away from the racists in Poland?
Ugochukwu Ukah: ''Of course not. In fact, if someone has a serious problem with racism, it is rather the Ukraine.''

In the Panorama program on BBC , you however complained of racism in our country.
Ugochukwu Ukah: ''Showed only for ten seconds, a half hour interview. Omitted from my statement are many of the positives done in Poland, it is safer.''

There was manipulation?
Ugochukwu Ukah: ''The truth is that at the stadiums are racist slogans, especially when playing away from home. So I told the BBC: You have to pretend that you do not hear, do not pay attention.''

You had a lot of these situations?
Ugochukwu Ukah: '': In 5 years, there have been three or four. Recently in the match against LKS-owi. In England, the shouts of racism are crimes.It is a very serious matter. John Terry lost his captaincy.''

And in Poland there is no response?
Ugochukwu Ukah: ''It is very small. The BBC film you see, in the Ukraine, they are attacking Hindus, they are doing the Nazi greeting, go ape, seeing black players. I get for it a symbolic punishment. Emenike, look at the situation in Russia. Dinamo Moscow fans insulted him, he showed them the middle finger and was punished, he paid several thousand dollars. That's not right. I think the federation should react much more strongly and, above all, to punish those who make racist remarks.''

And how it looks from your point in Poland?
Ugochukwu Ukah: ''One of the opponents insulted me, and I told him. I was suspended and the opponent did not get proper punishment. Or another question, which Prince Okachi said. He was offended, and the referee did not respond. Could use a stronger response to racist attacks, especially now, when the eyes of the world will be focused on Poland.''

Is Poland dangerous for a black player?
Ugochukwu Ukah: ''When I hear the words of Sol Campbell: "Do not come to Poland and Ukraine", I do not agree with that. I think it is safe as the EURO 2012 will show. I do not want taken away from what I said, as a defense in Poland. I have lived here for 6 years, I feel very well and often consider myself a member of society. Besides I persuaded Prince to play here, because this is a really good place for developing skills. And now I still want to play in Poland. I'd like that racist incidents should be taken seriously, that punishments were more severe, because it is very important for the perception of the country in the world.''

(Source: Poland's biggest sports daily, Przeglad Sportowy)