Ministers are boycotting the initial stages of Euro 2012 over concerns about human rights in Ukraine.
The Foreign Office said the government "fully supported" the England team's participation in the tournament.
But no ministers will be attending group stage matches in Ukraine amid anger over the treatment of jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko.
The move comes after other European countries including Germany and France announced that senior politicians would boycott games played in Ukraine - which is co-hosting the event with Poland - unless the human rights situation under President Viktor Yanukovych improved.
Tymoshenko was jailed for seven years last year after what supporters claim was a show trial.
The former prime minister staged a hunger strike in April after photos appeared showing bruises on her body. She has accused prison guards of assaulting her.
Foreign Secretary William Hague has previously indicated that attendance by ministers was under review.
Ministers are boycotting the initial stages of Euro 2012 over concerns about human rights in Ukraine.
The Foreign Office said the government "fully supported" the England team's participation in the tournament.
But no ministers will be attending group stage matches in Ukraine amid anger over the treatment of jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko.
The move comes after other European countries including Germany and France announced that senior politicians would boycott games played in Ukraine - which is co-hosting the event with Poland - unless the human rights situation under President Viktor Yanukovych improved.
Tymoshenko was jailed for seven years last year after what supporters claim was a show trial.
The former prime minister staged a hunger strike in April after photos appeared showing bruises on her body. She has accused prison guards of assaulting her.
Foreign Secretary William Hague has previously indicated that attendance by ministers was under review.