Britain will not send any ministers to England’s Euro 2012 quarter-final against Italy due to “widespread concerns about selective justice” in Ukraine, the government said Wednesday.

Anger is running high across Europe over the treatment of jailed Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko, and other governments have been putting mounting pressure on Ukraine, the tournament co-hosts.

No British ministers attended England’s three group matches - against France, Sweden and Ukraine - as they were all staged in Ukraine, though the ambassador to Kiev did go.

A spokeswoman for Prime Minister David Cameron’s Downing Street office confirmed that no British minister will be in Kiev to watch Sunday’s quarter-final against Italy.

“It reflects ministers’ busy schedules ahead of the Olympics and widespread concerns about selective justice and the rule of law in the Ukraine,” the spokeswoman said.

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