England training is free from race abuse

England's public training session in Krakow this morning passed without incident as the race row surrounding the Dutch squad intensified.

Holland captain Mark van Bommel said his team-mates had been racially abused by fans in the same city at a similar workout on Wednesday.

UEFA have been criticised for not launching an investigation into Van Bommel’s claims and there was relief from tournament organisers that the fans at England’s training session behaved impeccably.

Although the players were nearly 30 minutes late for training, a crowd of more than 1,500 spectators gave the squad a warm welcome as they took to the freshly re-laid pitch at the Hutnik Stadium.

Ashley Cole allayed fears he would become the latest casualty as England prepare for Euro 2012 after taking part this morning.

With Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe back in England after his father passed away, the remaining 22 players all joined in a light session designed for recovery from the intense work done behind closed doors yesterday.

Cole missed a civic reception last night with the Football Association insisting the Chelsea full-back was “resting at the team hotel” merely a short walk from the Polish Art Gallery where the Mayor of Krakow held a gathering in England’s honour. Cole is understood to have suffered from a stomach bug but took part in an initial run and stretch before leaving the field with eight other players.

Cole joined Joe Hart, Glen Johnson, Joleon Lescott, James Milner, Scott Parker, John Terry, Theo Walcott and captain Steven Gerrard for a session combining gym work and a swimming pool.

Once the public address system ceased its rendition of Queen’s Greatest Hits — aptly including ‘Under Pressure’ — a trumpeter heralded England’s arrival with each player joined by a child from the Siemacha Foundation, an organisation that focuses on the welfare of orphans and underprivileged children in Krakow.

Fans, many with replica shirts of England, Manchester United and Liverpool, cheered every time the group ran in front of them as the sun shone on a warm morning.