Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara accuses Ondrej Kudela of ‘vile racist abuse’ as Uefa launch investigation

Europa League - Round of 16 Second Leg - Rangers v Slavia Prague
Pool via REUTERS

Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara has accused Slavia Prague centre-back Ondrej Kudela of "vile racist abuse" as the fall-out from Thursday night's Europa League clash continued to escalate.

The Scottish club were knocked out of the Europa League on Thursday, losing 3-1 on aggregate having had two players sent off in a heated encounter which saw a melee on the pitch and clashes in the tunnel after the game.

Kamara was furious after Kudela leaned into his ear and said something while covering his mouth, sparking the fracas in the final stages of the match, which was played to a finish as the team opted against walking off in protest.

Uefa have confirmed an investigation into the incidents, though Slavia are also demanding that police officers probe events.

Kamara on Friday night issued a statement through his lawyer in which he gave a graphic account of the alleged incident - which Kudela denies - and demanded more from Uefa.

It came hours after Slavia asked police to investigate allegations that a Rangers player carried out an assault in the Ibrox tunnel - and claimed Gers boss Steven Gerrard is a key witness.

In the statement Kamara said: "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 Kedel [sic] took place on the international stage, and any failure to act by UEFA will be viewed as a green light for racism."

Kamara had to be held back by team-mates as he reacted with fury when Kudela wandered alongside him late in the game, cupping his hand before allegedly whispering a discriminatory slur - "you're a f****** monkey, you know you are", according to the Finn's statement - into the midfielder's ear.

Gerrard and Rangers chairman Douglas Park, however, were later seen confronting the Slavia delegation after the full-time whistle as they raged against the treatment of Finland international Kamara.

Slavia say a Rangers player landed a punch on Kudela as the altercation spilled over into the tunnel - a claim Rangers maintain has been made in order to deflect from the racism storm.

In a statement, the Czechs - who now will face Arsenal in the Europa League last eight - said: "Slavia Prague filed a criminal complaint with the Scottish Police through the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Great Britain for physically assaulting player Ondrej Kudela.

"The submission contains the names of witnesses who, in addition to representatives of Slavia Prague, were also representatives of the UEFA delegation and Rangers coach Steven Gerrard."

Rangers have opted not to respond to the latest development but managing director Stewart Robertson earlier released a statement insisting the newly crowned Scottish champions will object to any attempt to "deflect" away from the alleged racial abuse aimed at Kamara.

Additional reporting by Press Association.

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