Topless protesters arrested at Kiev Euro 2012 stadium opening ceremony

Topless women were arrested at the opening ceremony for the Euro 2012 stadium in Kiev after they invaded the pitch as part of a feminist protest.

One woman had to be carried off the pitch by a steward, wearing only a pair of black leggings with two flowers painted over her breasts.

The Ukrainian activists, Femen - who have a history of getting their kit off to promote their causes - believe the tournament will increase sex tourism in their country.






Dressed for impact: A topless Ukrainian feminist is escorted away after her pitch invasion.Final whistle: Stewards carry the blonde protester out of the Olympiyskiy Stadium.Skilful moves: The sex tourism protesters gave stewards at the football stadium the runaround

The demonstrators said in a statement: 'Femen demands that UEFA initiate an explanatory campaign for football fans about the impermissibility of sex tourism and funding the sex industry, and the Ukrainian authorities criminalise the visiting of prostitutes.'

It is believed that four women were arrested after police arrived at the Olympiisky National Sports Complex, which will host some games during next year's tournament.

Their 'Euro without prostitution' protest followed a more modest performance by Colombian pop star Shakira and a whopping 2,000 other artists in front of 60,000 fans.

The group, many of whom are students, have previously stripped in front of Paris Hilton and at the Miss Ukraine beauty contest to show their belief that the beauty industry is a form of prostitution.

Femen also once organised mud wrestling competitions in the capital's main square to protest against what they called the 'dirty' politics of president Viktor Yushchenkos.

Their actions are reminiscent of the controversial feminist 'SlutWalks', in which women dress provocatively for anti-rape demonstrations.

The reconstructed stadium's opening ceremony came as teams from around Europe compete in qualifiers for the competition, which will take place in Ukraine and Poland.

Prostitution in Ukraine is illegal but reports say the country remains one of the main suppliers of prostitutes to Western Europe.

UEFA chief Michel Platini arrived last Monday for an inspection of the 70,000-seat building, and was at yesterday's event alongside the Ukrainian president.

Mr Yanukovich said before the celebrations: 'It's a holiday for the whole of Ukraine.

'The stadium's successful renovation is undoubtedly an exhibition project for Ukraine's image.'

But there was more embarrassment when fireworks set fire to some of the stage props, forcing the evacuation of the two central sectors.