The EU justice and interior ministers agreed on Thursday to organize campaigns to fight forced prostitution and racism during the World Cup.
The campaign will also coincide with EU efforts to curb hooliganism and prevent terrorism at the tournament, EU Justice and Home Affairs Commissioner Franco Frattini said. Hundreds of thousands of fans from around the world are expected to attend the monthlong competition, which begins June 9.
Austria's Interior Minister Liese Prokop, whose country holds the EU presidency said the ministers agreed to several practical measures to address human trafficking in the sex trade.
"It is very, very important for there to be awareness raising in this area, we cannot turn a blind eye," Prokop told reporters.
The ministers agreed to launch "targeted campaigns," to provide information to the general public in an effort to "reduce the risk of becoming of trafficking in human beings," they said in a joint statement.
She said special liaison officers speaking different languages would be sent from across the EU to help German investigators and police to man 24-hour hot lines to help victims of the sex trade during the tournament.
"We will be able to show to our public that we are united," Frattini said.
Frattini, who did not go into detail on what the anti-racism campaign would include, said the measure was meant to address growing concern across Europe that racism is spreading at stadiums, especially among hooligan groups who use race to pick fights among supporters.
World football's governing body, FIFA, has already passed tougher rules to curb racist conduct by fans.
The EU fears some 40,000 women from poorer Eastern European countries will head to Germany, some against their will.
Striker Jan Koller, sidelined since September with a knee injury, could be ready to play in the Czech Republic's World Cup opener against the US on June 12.
Czech coach Karel Bruckner said Thursday that the Dortmund striker may still play in a Bundesliga game this season.
"He's optimistic about his participation at the World Cup," Bruckner said.
Koller was expected to be sidelined for at least eight months after tearing ligaments in his left knee during a Bundesliga match in September.
Koller's recovery is good news for Bruckner, who would have a problem replacing the 2m striker.
"There's no other Koller," Bruckner said.
Koller has 40 goals in 66 internationals games, and nine goals in the Czech Republic's 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Bruckner said three other players were still doubtful for the World Cup: Bordeaux midfielder Vladimir Smicer, Ajax defender Zdenek Grygera and striker Vratislav Lokvenc of Salzburg.
World Cup squads have to be named by May 15.
The Czechs play in Group E along with the US, Ghana and Italy.
FEELING INSECURE
A senior official with Germany's federal police on Thursday pledged a zero-tolerance approach to trouble during the World Cup.
Officers will be friendly and open, but also show "zero tolerance for disturbances," Juergen Bischoff, who is leading the force's World Cup preparations, said at a meeting of security officials in western Germany.
Federal police responsibilities include security on Germany's borders and railways and at airports. The force also will have a special mobile reserve unit in place during the June 9-July 9 tournament, ready to travel anywhere in the country at short notice.
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