German president Joachim Gauck has called off a visit to the Ukraine over the alleged mistreatment of former Prime Minister Julia Tymoshenko.

German opposition politicians and some senior figures in German football have called for a boycott of the European Championships in June, which is jointly hosted by the Ukraine and Poland.

The Ukraine has ordered an investigation into the alleged beating of Tymoshenko by prison guards, after increasing pressure by the EU and Germany.

However, the investigation called by Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych is seen as meaningless by observers, as a previous investigation, which concluded this week, found that Tymoshenko was not abused in prison.

Tymoshenko claimed she was beaten and transported to a hospital against her will. She suffers from a severe spinal condition, which according to German doctors who examined her, needs urgent treatment at a specialist clinic.

Germany has offered to treat the former prime minister who has also been on hunger strike for nearly a week. Prison officials have indicated that she may be force fed.

Pressure is increasing on the European football association UEFA to take action.

German opposition politicians have called for a boycott of the tournament in June; however UEFA President Michel Platini rejected any intervention.

“UEFA is not and will never be a political institution" said Platini.

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle echoed his sentiments. Westerwelle said he doesn’t ‘think much’ of boycott calls and thinks the championship will be a good opportunity to take a closer look at the human rights situation in the country.

The head of the Sports Committee of the Bundestag, disagreed with the foreign minister.

Dagmar Freitag said “I believe sport has a socio-political function. [It] does have the responsibility to raise its voice.”

The leader of the Green Party Claudia Roth told ‘Die Welt Online’:

"The leaders in the Ukraine have another thing coming if they think they can bask in the light of the international public during the UEFA men's European Championship 2012, as they, like in the case of Julia Timoshenko, trample on human and civil rights,

"The time when millions look at sports and look away at the human and civil rights [abuses] is over,

"UEFA should make this clear to the Ukrainian government."

The calls have also split German football, with the President of the DFB Dr Niersbach rejecting the boycott calls.

However, the managing director of German champions Borussia Dortmund has become the first senior figure to announce a boycott of the tournament, unless Ms Tymoshenko is allowed treatment.

Hans-Joachim Watzke told media in Germany, “I will not attend the games unless Ms Tymoshenko receives immediate medical care from independent doctors.”