March 22 – UEFA have stepped in to investigate claims that a player from Scottish champions Rangers was racially abused by a Slavia Prague opponent during their Europa League match last week as both sides continue to blame the other for the incident.
Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara, who is black, told manager Steven Gerrard that Ondřej Kúdela uttered a racist remark to him in the closing moments of Slavia’s 2-0 victory in Glasgow on Thursday.
Kúdela approached Kamara during a stoppage in play, covered his mouth with both hands and said something into Kamara’s right ear. The Rangers player reacted by pointing at Kúdela, and both were then separated.
Slavia deny allegations of racism and have accused Kamara of assaulting Kudela who concedes he was offensive but categorically denies racial language.
“It was said in emotions, but I absolutely deny there was anything racist in those words,” Kúdela said.
Rangers called for a strong response from UEFA, which has launched an investigation “regarding the incidents that occurred.”
Stewart Robertson, Rangers’ managing director, says the team refuses “to acknowledge any attempt to defend, deflect or deny the abuse Glen Kamara experienced.”
“UEFA will be well aware the football world is watching. We expect a robust and unequivocal response in relation to this incident. It cannot be merely ‘swept under the carpet’ – we are not prepared for Glen Kamara to be yet another statistic. Enough is enough.”
The Rangers statement added that more players “have subsequently received racist, threatening and sickening abuse online.”
Gerrard, whose team was eliminated with the second-leg loss in the round of 16, described Kamara as being “devastated” by the incident. He said the Finnish player is normally “a cool, calm kid.”
In a counter statement Slavia said they were denied access to the dressing room and claimed Kamara threw punches at their 33-year-old defender.
“Ondřej Kúdela was assaulted by player Kamara and hit with fists in the head when Rangers manager Steven Gerrard witnessed the incident,” the team said. “Even the UEFA representatives who were also present on the site of the incident were shocked by this behaviour.”
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