Wayne Rooney
England celebrates, but politicians take a hard line. Reuters

British officials will boycott the nation's Euro 2012 quarter-final against Italy in Kiev on Sunday because of concerns over human rights in Ukraine, in particular the continued imprisonment of former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko.

It reflects ministers' busy schedules ahead of the (London) Olympics and widespread concerns about selective justice and the rule of law in the Ukraine, a spokeswoman for Prime Minister David Cameron told the Guardian of the boycott.

UK ministers skipped all three of England's games during the group stage, but no decision has been made on whether officials will travel to Ukraine should the English squad advance.

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