[ad_1]
Slavia Prague has rejected the Rangers’ accusations of racism against their defender Ondrej Kudela, claiming that he was assaulted by Light Blues midfielder Glen Kamara after his explosive confrontation with Ibrox.
The nine-man Rangers crashed in the Europa League following a 2-0 loss to Slavia Prague at Ibrox, but the game was overshadowed by claims that Czech defender Kudela whispered an offensive insult into Kamara’s ear. at a late flash point.
The incident escalated into a bitter post-match dispute, with Slavia bosses claiming that Kudela was “punched with fists” by Kamara during a tunnel raid.
When Gerrard called on UEFA to take action on the racism allegations, Slavia officials also responded to Rangers’ claims, accusing the Ibrox club of “unprecedented malicious play”.
Gers had Kemar Roofe sent off for a shocking tack challenge to the face of Slavia goalkeeper Ondrej Kolar, leaving the stopper with a major head injury, while Leon Balogun also walked after racking up two reserves.
In a statement, Prague officials said: “The club denies accusations of racism by one of the team’s captains, Ondrej Kudela.
“Slavia strongly denies the disgusting accusation of racist behavior by one of the team’s captains, Ondrej Kudela.”
The statement said that after one of the “brutal fouls,” Kudela spoke with one of the Rangers players. Kudela was quoted in the statement saying: “I said ‘Damn guy’. It was said with emotion, but I absolutely deny that there is anything racist in those words.”
The statement continued: “The Slavia players faced unprecedented malicious play by their opponents. They have never experienced such a game in any game in which they participated in the modern history of European competitions.
“Many brutal tackles resulted in injuries to our players. Goalkeeper Ondrej Kolar traveled to a hospital with ten stitches to his head.
“After the game was over, the team was not allowed into the locker room.
“Ondrej Kudela was attacked by player Kamara and hit with his fists on the head while coach Steven Gerrard witnessed the incident.
“Even the UEFA representatives who were also present at the scene of the incident were shocked by this behavior.
“The team is now safely accompanied by the Scottish police.”
Gerrard insists he will stand shoulder to shoulder with Kamara when he warned UEFA that they could not afford to sweep the alleged racist comment “under the rug.”
The Ibrox manager, who saw Kemar Roofe and Leon Balogun sent off by goals from Nicolae Stanciu and Peter Olayinka, brought the Czechs through, said: “I have a very, very strong relationship with Glen Kamara.
“Glen Kamara for me is one of mine, like most, everyone in that dressing room. I believe 100% what he is saying regarding the prosecution.”
“Other players around him heard it, so I’ll be face to face with Glen Kamara and deal with this however Glen wants to deal with it.”
“I am proud of all my players, tonight showing solidarity and from the top of this club to the end we are with the players. This situation is over for UEFA now. I just hope it doesn’t get under the rug.
“I feel angry. It is extremely disappointing. There is too much going on around football. The Slavia player has caused this and has also caused a situation like this to get even worse because right away the fans unite and racism.” grows and grows.
“Something has to happen quickly. That is above me. But I am 100 percent with Glen Kamara, whatever happens in the future.
“UEFA will take care of this, I am sure they will talk to both players and we will let other people take care of it. All I can confirm is that my player tells me that he was racially abused.”
[ad_2]