SLAVIA PRAGUE have blasted Rangers and Stewart Robertson as they demanded an end to ‘escalating biased pressure’ on Uefa and police.European football bosses and Police Scotland have launched their own investigations into allegations Light Blues star Glen Kamara was racially abused by Slavia’s Ondrej Kudela.
Slavia Prague chief Jaroslav Tvrdik, right, has demanded an end to ‘biased pressure’Credit: Alamy
The Czech club have denied the claim and have alleged that the Rangers ace assaulted Kudela after the sides’ Europa League clash earlier this month.
They have also accused them of trying to ‘cover up their own aggressive play’.
Both Uefa and the police are also investigating that allegation.
Now though, Slavia Prague have released a statement on their website in which club chief Jaroslav Tvrdik has demanded an end to “biased pressure” on the probes.
The chairman also claimed players and clubs from central and eastern Europe were being subjected to xenophobic prejudice.
Rangers managing director Stewart RobertsonCredit: Willie Vass – The Sun
While he also made an allegation that security cameras were covered when Kamara allagedly assaulted Kudela.
The statement read: “Slavia demands the halt of escalating biased pressure on Uefa and police officials regarding the investigated incidents reported during 2020/21 Uefa Europa League Round of 16 second leg match between Rangers FC and SK Slavia Praha.
“President of football club SK Slavia Praha, Jaroslav Tvrdík, demands the immediate halt of escalating biased pressure by Rangers’ club representatives (most recently a public statement of the club’s chief, Mr Stewart Robertson, made on 30 March 2021) and other public figures in Scotland on Uefa and police officials regarding the investigated incidents reported during 2020/21 Uefa Europa League Round of 16 second leg match between Rangers FC and SK Slavia Praha on 18 March 2021.
“Mr Tvrdík states: ‘The pending investigations conducted by the officials of UEFA and the local Police have made no findings so far.
TIME TO ACT Robertson backs Kamara over racism claim and calls for action
“‘However, our player Ondřej Kúdela has already been the subject of a public ‘conviction’ without any evidence whatsoever; he is a victim of prejudice and a presumption of guilt.
“‘The Uefa Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector is still conducting an investigation regarding the incidents in question and has been granted additional time until 5 April 2021 to deliver his report.
“‘We believe in an evidence and law-based process whereby Ondřej and our club both provide necessary cooperation to the respective authorities.
“‘We have presented evidence which, in our view, cleanses Ondřej of an unjustified accusation of racism’.
Rangers star Glen Kamara reacts to Slavia Prague’s Ondrej KudelaCredit: PA
“Mr Tvrdík adds that unfortunately xenophobic prejudice is evidently rising on the part of some stakeholders and some British media against clubs and players and, in general, against people from Central and Eastern Europe.
“’The sad side of the whole matter is that Rangers are trying to cover up overtly aggressive play by their team.
“‘During the match itself, our goalkeeper Ondřej Kolář was gravely injured and sustained a frontal sinus fracture while our doctor was prevented to examine him on site even dozens of minutes after the final whistle.
“‘Not to mention that there were several other serious fouls against our players and a number of those have remained unpunished.
“‘Such behaviour does not belong in the prestigious UEFA Europa League’.
“Mr Tvrdík also stresses that Mr Kamara’s assault of Ondřej Kúdela after the match is likewise included in the subject-matter of the pending investigations despite Rangers being practically silent about this incident.
“In this regard, he mentions: ‘If someone is wondering what happened, the Rangers delegation claimed a wish to speak to Ondřej in order to clarify the alleged racial insult.
“‘The conversation was about to take place in the tunnel under the patronage and in the presence of the Uefa match delegation and the coaches of both teams.
“‘However, the cameras covering the meeting place were purposely covered and then Mr Kamara, with no warning and obviously having zero intention to have the suggested conversation, roughly assaulted Ondřej by punching him to the face.
“‘After trying to continue fighting he fled into the dressing room followed by Mr Gerrard without a single word of apology. It is a disgraceful incident’.
“Last but not least, Mr Tvrdík reminds the club’s firm commitment to fight racism, xenophobia and all forms of hatred as one of the pillars of Slavia football policy.
“He emphasises: ‘Any form of racial discrimination is contrary to our values and principles and we shall never tolerate such conduct.
“‘We believe that all people must be free and equal with their rights and dignity.
“‘Slavia strictly abides by the policy against racism as detailed by the organization FARE” (Football Against Racism in Europe)’.
“In light of the foregoing, the club and the player Kúdela await the results of a proper and independent investigation of both incidents.
“We call for calm until then.”
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