March 19 – Scottish champions Rangers, bundled out of the Europa League by Slavia Prague on Thursday, have accused one of the Czech defenders of racist abuse in the latest incident of discrimination to hit the game.
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard was left “angry and upset” after midfielder Glen Kamara told him he was abused in the last-16 tie by Ondrej Kudela, only for the Czech side to deny the claim and counter that their player was assaulted.
The 87th minute incident spilled over after the game, with Slavia claiming Kudela was “hit with fists” by Kamara during a bust-up in the tunnel and accusing Rangers of “unprecedented malicious play”.
In a statement, Slavia said they “resolutely deny the disgusting accusation of one of the team captains Ondrej Kudela of racist behaviour”.
“Slavia players faced an unprecedentedly malicious play from their opponents. They have never experienced such play in any game they participated in the modern history of the European competitions.
“After the end of the game, the team was not allowed to enter the dressing room. Ondrej Kudela was assaulted by player Kamara and hit with fists in the head with manager Steven Gerrard witnessing the incident.
“Even the UEFA representatives who were also present on the site of the incident were shocked by this behaviour. The team is now safe accompanied by the Scottish police.”
But Gerrard tells a different story and wants UEFA to intervene on Rangers’ behalf.
“My player tells me he was racially abused,” Gerrard was quoted by the BBC. “And the disappointing thing is that their people are trying to defend their player and calling us liars.
“I feel angry. I know Glen and trust him 100%. The Slavia player has caused this and something needs to happen quickly but that is above me. I don’t even feel like talking about football just now. It’s over to UEFA now and I just hope it doesn’t get pushed under the carpet.”
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