Europa League

GLEN KAMARA has broken his silence on the Ibrox race-hate row – and revealed Slavia star Ondrej Kudela branded him a “monkey”.Kamara is facing a Uefa probe while the Czechs claim they’ve made a complaint to cops alleging he punched Kudela in the face.
Rangers star Glen Kamara reacted furiously to Slavia Prague’s Ondrej Kudela and says he branded him a ‘monkey’Credit: Getty

But the furious Finn has now given his side of the flashpoint in a strongly-worded statement released through respected lawyer Aamer Anwar.
Rangers boss Steven Gerrard later backed the midfielder as he revealed Kamara told him he had been racially abused.
He said: “There is no place for racism or any form of bigotry in football.
“Since summer many of us have taken the knee in solidarity with those who have lost their lives to racial violence.
“If Uefa genuinely wants to ‘show racism the red card’, then it’s time to stop the tokenism and take a zero-tolerance approach.
“As a player I do not expect myself, nor any other to have to tolerate racial hatred on or off the pitch in 2021.
“The vile racist abuse by Ondrej Kudela, took place on the international stage, and any failure to act by Uefa will be viewed as a greenlight for racism.
“During yesterday’s match with Slavia Prague, Kudela was arguing with a Rangers player and after I tried to intervene, he told me to shut up and then said ‘one second my friend’.
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Kamara is backed by Rangers boss Steven GerrardCredit: The Sun
“He then came over to me covering his mouth, leaning into my ear, he uttered the words – ‘You’re a f***ing monkey, you know you are’.
“I was shocked and horrified to hear such racist abuse from a professional football player.
“Kudela’s claim he simply swore at me and said ‘You’re a f***ing guy’ is a complete utter lie, which does not stand up to any form of scrutiny.
“Kudela’s actions were deliberate and premeditated, but he was loud enough for my team-mate Bongani Zungu to hear what was said.
“I am grateful for the unconditional support of my team, our club and especially our manager Steven Gerrard.
“I want to thank not just our Rangers fans, but the many fans from across the football community and beyond, for calling out racism not just against myself, but also fellow player Kemar Roofe, who was subjected to a tirade of racist bile on Instagram.
“We as black players are sick of the freedom that such bigots are given to parade their hatred on social media and wonder when the likes of Instagram will start to take action.”
However, Slavia Prague and Kuleda have denied the allegations of racism against him.

Kudela, 33, said: “I completely reject accusations of racism. I said to him ‘You’re a f***ing guy’.
“Rangers did not want to let us into the dressing room for 45 minutes. I have never experienced anything like this in my career.
“When it seemed that the situation had calmed down, I met Kamara in the tunnel.
“In front of the Uefa representatives and both managers, he punched me full in the face with his fist, calmly and prepared, without any warning.”
In a statement earlier on Friday night, Slavia claimed to have filed a complaint to Police Scotland over Kamara’s alleged assault of Kuleda in the tunnel after the game.
However, Police Scotland confirmed they have yet to receive a complaint from either club
A spokesperson said: “No reports of criminality have been made by either club in connection with last night’s match.
“Police Scotland has contacted club officials and assured them that should any allegation be received it will be investigated thoroughly.”
Uefa have now launched an investigation into both alleged incidents.

SunSport understands Uefa observer Ray Ellingham witnessed the tunnel clash but did not hear the abuse from Kudela.
Gers have defended Kamara with managing director Stewart Robertson demanding the race claims must not be “swept under the carpet”.
Robertson said: “Racism is unacceptable in any form and in any setting.
“The racist abuse suffered by Glen will not be tolerated by Rangers. As a club, we stand resolutely behind Glen as we support him and his team-mates.
“It cannot be merely swept under the carpet. We are not prepared for Glen Kamara to be yet another statistic. Enough is enough.”
Rangers fans set off fireworks outside Slavia Prague’s Glasgow hotel ahead of Europa League tie More

UEFA have confirmed they have launched an investigation into ‘incidents’ that occured during Rangers’ defeat to Slavia Prague.The Gers were knocked out of the Europa League on Thursday night after losing 2-0 at home to the Czech side.
Rangers star Glen Kamara reacted furiously to Slavia Prague’s Ondrej Kudela and accused him of racist abuseCredit: EPA
Rangers boss Steven Gerrard gestures to Kudela during the explosive showdownCredit: EPA
But the game was marred by allegations of racism against Slavia defender Ondrej Kudela after he whispered something in Glen Kamara’s ear.
However, the Czech club subsequently denied the accusation and alleged the Rangers star ATTACKED Kudela after the match.
And Uefa have now confirmed they will investigate in a short statement on their website.
It read: “In accordance with the Article 31(4) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations, an Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector will conduct an investigation regarding the incidents that occurred during the 2020/21 UEFA Europa League Round of 16 second leg match between Rangers FC and SK Slavia Praha on 18 March 2021.
“Further information regarding this investigation will be made available in due course.”
Steven Gerrard insisted after the the game that he backed Kamara completely.
And in a statement on Friday, Rangers managing director Stewart Robertson blasted any attempts to “defend, deflect or deny” the allegations.
He said: “We refuse to acknowledge any attempt to defend, deflect or deny the abuse Glen Kamara experienced last night.
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“Our manager, Steven Gerrard has already underlined his own disgust at this incident and support for our players.
“We can confirm that Steven, our Chairman Douglas Park, Sporting Director Ross Wilson and I, met last night to agree our club stance. We also met with Uefa representatives.
“This incident has been reported to the Uefa match delegate and we understand that it has formed part of his match report.
“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.”
Meanwhile, Slavia Prague have confirmed that they have filed a complaint to Police Scotland over an alleged incident involving Kamara.
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Rangers boss Steven Gerrard backs Kamara was racially abused at Slavia Prague match More

SLAVIA PRAGUE have filed an assault complaint to Police Scotland amid an alleged Glen Kamara ‘punch’ incident, it has been confirmed.The Czech side have denied all wrongdoing and have dismissed that their player Ondrej Kudela racially abused Kamara on the pitch in the last-16 Europa League tie.
Connor Goldson runs after Ondrej Kudela on an explosive night at IbroxCredit: PA
Rangers boss Steven Gerrard exchanges words with Kudela during the Europa League clashCredit: EPA
The Slavia player provoked a furious on-field reaction from Kamara after whispering something in his ear during last night’s encounter.
Gers boss Steven Gerrard later revealed that Kamara told him he’d been subjected to racial abuse by the 33-year-old.
He also said Rangers were called LIARS after Kamara told him he was racially abused by the Slavia Prague player.
The Czech outfit totally DENY the claims that Kudela made such comments, instead saying that Finnish star Kamara assaulted him after the match.
Slavia chiefs claimed that the Light Blues midfielder punched Kudela in the head.
They went on to sensationally suggest that Gerrard WITNESSED the alleged attack.
And now, they have reported the alleged incident to Police Scotland – further claiming that the ‘attack’ was pre-meditated.
Their statement announced: “SK Slavia Praha has filed a criminal complaint with Police Scotland through the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Great Britain for the physical assault of player Ondrej Kudela.
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Finnish star Kamara approaches Kudela about his comments during the fiery encounterCredit: Getty
Kamara with Steven Gerrard after the matchCredit: The Sun

“The attack on player Ondrej Kudela was pre-meditated and planned, including deliberately covering the cameras at the scene of the incident. The brutal and crude attack was conducted with full intensity in order to injure and cause physical damage.
“The submission contains the names of witnesses, who, in addition to representatives of SK Slavia Praha, were also representatives of the UEFA delegation as well as Rangers FC coach Steven Gerrard.”
Both alleged incidents are under investigation by UEFA, who announced an official probe on a short time ago this evening.
Police Scotland have been contacted for comment.
Just earlier today we told you how Slavia released a statement threatening legal criminal proceedings over the matter.
Slavia condemned racism in all forms and insisted they are a club for ALL.
A spokesperson said: “The firm commitment to fight racism, xenophobia and all forms of hatred is one of the pillars of Slavia football policy.
“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 display as put down by the organization FARE Football Against Racism Policy in Europe.
Kamara was held back by Jack Simpson and othersCredit: Reuters
“We are a club where all enjoy fair chance regardless of their race, colour, religion or beliefs. We build on the fair play ideal that has been an inherent part of the club since its establishment.
“The modern Slavia is a fully multicultural team and even our hardcore fans wear jerseys of all players without exceptions.
“The second leg of the Round of 16 of the Europa League between Slavia and Rangers FC was supposed to be a celebration of football as such. Our players faced excessively heavy-handed behaviour instead.
“Rangers FC injured Slavia goalkeeper Ondřej Kolář with a reckless tackle and other players were lucky not to be injured. Anyone who watched the game has surely formed their own opinion.
“Ondřej Kúdela is one of the team captains elected in secret polls by the players who choose characters that enjoy their trust.
“He is a decent and modest person with a strong moral integrity, popular amongst the players and fans, a football gentleman. He categorically denies and refutes any allegations of racism.
“We are shocked that his reputation and the club’s reputation are being smeared without a single piece of evidence. The only “alleged” evidence is the player covering his mouth – which Ondřej does on a regular basis when he talks to his teammates during our games.”
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Rangers fans set off fireworks outside Slavia Prague’s Glasgow hotel ahead of Europa League tie More

SLAVIA PRAGUE keeper Ondrej Kolar suffered a fractured SKULL from Rangers striker Kemar Roofe’s horror challenge, club president Jaroslav Tvrdik revealed.Roofe was shown a straight red card just six minutes after he came on as a sub during the explosive Europa League defeat to Slavia Prague at Ibrox.
Kemar Roofe clattered Ondrej Kolar in the faceCredit: Reuters
The Slavia Prague keeper sported a horrific gash
The Rangers attacker was shown a straight redCredit: AFP
He caught the 26-year-old Czech Republic international full on the face in the 61st minute, leaving the shot-stopper bloodied from the ugly mid-air clash.
The Czechs were flying back from Manchester yesterday and Kolar will go straight to hospital in Prague on arrival after being assessed following his gruesome injury, which also required ten stitches.
Tvrdik said: “After an examination overnight, it showed he has a fracture of the left side of his frontal cavity.
“After arrival, Ondrej will go to the care of doctors of the Central Military Hospital.”
The keeper required treatment for seven minutes before being stretchered off.
But the game has been completely overshadowed following allegations of racism against Slavia player Ondrej Kudela.
Slavia Prague have DENIED Ondrej Kudela racially abused Glen Kamara – and claim the Rangers star PUNCHED him in the head.
The Czech club have also sensationally claimed that Light Blues boss Steven Gerrard witnessed the attack.
Kolar was stretchered off after the sickening collisionCredit: EPA

While they further claimed that Uefa officials were also witness to the incident and seemingly “shocked” by it.
Rangers have denied the allegations and described claims Kudela was attacked as “utter nonsense”.
Slavia Prague drew Arsenal in the quarter-finals of the Europa League after their 2-0 win at Ibrox ensured a 3-1 aggregate win in the last 16.
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Rangers boss Steven Gerrard backs Kamara was racially abused at Slavia Prague match More