ONDREJ KUDELA and his Czech Republic team-mates opted NOT to take the knee against Wales tonight, amid a probe he was racist towards Rangers star Glen Kamara
Kudela is alleged to have racially abused Gers ace Kamara in last week’s Europa League last-16 tie at Ibrox versus Slavia Prague.
The midfielder has accused the centre-back of calling him a ‘F*****g monkey’, a version of events supported by team-mate Bongani Zungu.
The 34-year-old defender was seen approaching the Finnish star, covering his mouth and whispering in his ear.
This sparked an instant furious reaction from Kamara, and his Light Blues team-mates Zungu and Connor Goldson.
Slavia claim their defender was the victim of an assault as the flashpoint boiled over long after the game.
Uefa have since launched an investigation over alleged incidents both during and after the game at Ibrox.
Police Scotland have also begun their own investigation into the allegations against Kudela.
Tonight, Kudela and his team-mates deicded against the anti-racism gesture.
And the Czech FA has explained its “neutral apolitical stance” as players stood and pointing towards the ‘Respect’ logo on the sleeve of the shirt.
A statement from the Czech FA said: “Following the events of the last days, weeks, and months, the management of the Czech national football team together with the Football Association of the Czech Republic want to jointly announce that the national team will take a neutral apolitical stance to certain topics that have been resonating in the sports environment.
“This namely concerns the Black Lives Matter (BLM) initiative, in which some players kneel before football matches.
“To express their support for the fight against racism and other displays of discrimination, xenophobia and antisemitism, the Czech national team will point to the UEFA Respect inscription on the left sleeve of their jerseys, referring to the UEFA campaign of the same name, before the match in Wales.
“The aim of the UEFA Respect program is to work towards unity and respect across gender, race, religion and ability of each individual.
“Launched in 2008, the program is supported by numerous UEFA member associations.
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“In addition to supporting the UEFA Respect program, including the UEFA Equal Game, the Czech FA and the national team have long promoted a number of other social programs, ranging from supporting the visually impaired, hearing impaired, physically and mentally challenged to senior and veteran football or popularizing football in children’s homes.
“The range of these activities is unparalleled in Czech sports environment.
“We believe that everyone should be able to play football, regardless of age, gender, race, or any disability; at the same time, we do not tolerate any displays of racism, xenophobia, antisemitism, and other intolerance.”
Kudela did not finish the 90-minutes after receiving a blow to the face from Gareth Bale.
Meanwhile, Rangers’ Covid 5 have been hit with SIX-match SFA bans for breaching coronavirus regulations.
Light Blues stars Nathan Patterson, Bongani Zungu, Calvin Bassey, Dapo Mebude and Brian Kinnear broke lockdown rules last month.
And they were all hit with notices of complaint after being accused of breaking SFA disciplinary rules 24 and 77 for failing to “act in the best interests of Association Football.”
The disciplinary hearing for all five of the Rangers players took place on Thursday.
And the SFA have now confirmed the panel’s final decision on sanctions via their website – with FOUR matches of the ban to be immediate and a further TWO suspended.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
