Germany coach Joachim Loew on Monday joined national captain Philipp Lahm in criticising Euro 2012 co-hosts Ukraine over their government's treatment of jailed ex-prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko.
Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych is coming under increasing political pressure over the imprisonment of the former opposition leader, with the governments of some EU countries threatening to boycott the tournament.
A number of European leaders, led by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, have said they may boycott the tournament unless Tymoshenko's conditions improve.
Having been jailed for seven years last October on charges of abuse of power, Tymoshenko went on hunger strike last month after claiming she had been beaten by prison guards.
While Loew said a boycott of the European championships, which kicks off on June 8 in Ukraine and Poland, is "clearly not sensible", the political situation in Ukraine is of concern.
"If you ask me as a person, I have travelled a lot and I have the deepest conviction that human rights are of the highest importance," said Loew on Monday in a press conference to nominate his provisional squad for Euro 2012.
"I identify with the values of freedom of press, freedom of expression and the protection of the minorities, including the humanitarian handling of Yulia Tymoshenko.
"It doesn't matter whether this is happening in North Korea, China or Ukraine.
"A boycott of the European championships is clearly not sensible, the tournament is a good opportunity to channel things in a positive direction.
"If you ask me as the national trainer, we have formed a picture in Germany of what our football means: it's fun, joy and integration, helping bring people together," said Loew.
"Each player is entitled to give their opinion.
"We won't travel to Ukraine as the world police, we will strive to give priority to our sporting success and focus fully on the championships."
Loew's comments come after his captain Lahm gave an interview in which he also criticised the situation in Ukraine.
"I do not find my views of democratic fundamental rights, human rights, personal freedom or press freedom to be reflected in the present political situation in Ukraine," Lahm told German newsweekly Der Spiegel.
"When I see how the regime is treating Yulia Tymoshenko, it doesn't fit in with my view of democracy."
Germany, among the Euro 2012 favourites, will play all three of their opening games in Ukraine.
Both their Group B games against Portugal on June 9 and June 13 against the Netherlands will be held in Kharkiv, where Tymoshenko is being held.
Tymoshenko on Friday agreed to be treated in a Ukrainian hospital this week by visiting German physicians, according to a German doctor who saw her in prison.
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| Germany coach Joachim Loew |
Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych is coming under increasing political pressure over the imprisonment of the former opposition leader, with the governments of some EU countries threatening to boycott the tournament.
A number of European leaders, led by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, have said they may boycott the tournament unless Tymoshenko's conditions improve.
Having been jailed for seven years last October on charges of abuse of power, Tymoshenko went on hunger strike last month after claiming she had been beaten by prison guards.
While Loew said a boycott of the European championships, which kicks off on June 8 in Ukraine and Poland, is "clearly not sensible", the political situation in Ukraine is of concern.
"If you ask me as a person, I have travelled a lot and I have the deepest conviction that human rights are of the highest importance," said Loew on Monday in a press conference to nominate his provisional squad for Euro 2012.
"I identify with the values of freedom of press, freedom of expression and the protection of the minorities, including the humanitarian handling of Yulia Tymoshenko.
"It doesn't matter whether this is happening in North Korea, China or Ukraine.
"A boycott of the European championships is clearly not sensible, the tournament is a good opportunity to channel things in a positive direction.
"If you ask me as the national trainer, we have formed a picture in Germany of what our football means: it's fun, joy and integration, helping bring people together," said Loew.
"Each player is entitled to give their opinion.
"We won't travel to Ukraine as the world police, we will strive to give priority to our sporting success and focus fully on the championships."
Loew's comments come after his captain Lahm gave an interview in which he also criticised the situation in Ukraine.
"I do not find my views of democratic fundamental rights, human rights, personal freedom or press freedom to be reflected in the present political situation in Ukraine," Lahm told German newsweekly Der Spiegel.
"When I see how the regime is treating Yulia Tymoshenko, it doesn't fit in with my view of democracy."
Germany, among the Euro 2012 favourites, will play all three of their opening games in Ukraine.
Both their Group B games against Portugal on June 9 and June 13 against the Netherlands will be held in Kharkiv, where Tymoshenko is being held.
Tymoshenko on Friday agreed to be treated in a Ukrainian hospital this week by visiting German physicians, according to a German doctor who saw her in prison.
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