Rangers fans have thrown their support behind midfielder Glen Kamara after he was racially abused in the club’s 2-0 Europa League defeat to Slavia Prague.
The Ibrox side was beaten by the better team in a steep learning curve at this level but the match was overshadowed by the second-half incident involving Kamara and Czech defender Ondřej Kúdela.
You tell that dirty scumbag Glen, we’ve got you. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
With the match over as a contest – Slavia 2-0 up and Rangers down to 9 men – Kúdela walked over to Kamara and whispered something into his ear before covering his mouth.
The ex-Arsenal academy midfielder, 25, then reacted angrily with BT Sport pundit Alan Hutton later confirming Kamara began screaming “racist” towards the referee.
Bongani Zungu – another of Rangers’ black players – also reacted to the incident, before club captain for the night Connor Goldson flipped when told.
Watch it play out below:
Clearly hear what went on from Kamara and Zungu here. Disgusting behavior from the Slavia player. pic.twitter.com/AgP0NqRobr
— Jersey Ger 🇳🇱 (@NYCRFC) March 19, 2021
Goldson gunned for a timid and cowardly Kúdela on the pitch with the defender cowering behind his teammates in a slimy reaction which sums up the character of the man.
The actions of Kúdela – which both he and Slavia refute – then sparked a horrific reaction online where Slavia fans began to abuse Rangers players.
Forward Kemar Roofe – who was sent off for a high boot clash with goalkeeper Ondřej Kolář – was targeted by rival supporters on Instagram in the aftermath of the match.
The situation drew the ire of Steven Gerrard post-match, the Ibrox gaffer calling out the racism – which Slavia deny – and claiming he unequivocally backs his player.
🔊 LISTEN: Steven Gerrard says Glen Kamara has told him he was racially abused by a Slavia Prague player:
“Glen Kamara is one of my own.. I 100% believe him. Other players around him heard it.
“It’s over to UEFA now.. and I hope it doesn’t get brushed under the carpet”. pic.twitter.com/NJURs3ty9z
— Clyde 1 Superscoreboard (@ClydeSSB) March 18, 2021
Rangers fans too – standing alongside their midfielder and any of other players who’ve been racially abused – raised a fist in solidarity with the message clear. Kick Racism out of Football:
We stand by Kamara 💙
We stand by our club 💙— Copland Streetwear (@coplandsw) March 18, 2021
https://twitter.com/W_S_40/status/1372697636558549001
We are all Glen Kamara 💙 #SayNoToRacism pic.twitter.com/4MnaDfP2db
— Big G 🇬🇧 (@RFCGW) March 18, 2021
https://twitter.com/RangersOnTour_/status/1372671233737822210
I stand with Glen Kamara. Do you @uefa? The world is watching. pic.twitter.com/x25HuSrjtM
— Seville Calculator (@SevilleCalculat) March 18, 2021
We all stand by Roofe and Kamara 💙 stamp racism out! pic.twitter.com/GC7razozgq
— Ross Watson (@RossWat70794551) March 18, 2021
Our team 🔴⚪🔵
Our player🔴⚪🔵
Our Glen Kamara❤️🤍💙@RangersFC #RangersFC#everyoneanyone pic.twitter.com/gZ6FoZWeP5— Kris van Boydhorst (@KBoyd55) March 18, 2021
We stand by Glen Kamara 💙#EveryoneAnyone pic.twitter.com/1PaxnraiJf
— Giobaldy van Bassey 🇬🇧 (@Baldy_Bassey) March 18, 2021
We’re all with Glen Kamara, call it out for what it is Rangers ✊🏻🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/bBTJ0vVPr8
— Lee Hendry 🇳🇱 (@Lee_Hendry1872) March 18, 2021
We are all Glen Kamara 🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/DeJRPuo5U1
— Jamba (@JambaWATP21) March 19, 2021
I stand with Glen Kamara 💙
Say No To Racism! pic.twitter.com/g4P4Yrck8m
— Julie 🧡 (@titaniumgirl86) March 19, 2021
https://twitter.com/timgers12/status/1372685852971835396
We stand with you Kemar Roofe and Glen Kamara 💙 pic.twitter.com/3oA6xRWFjz
— Every Other Saturday Podcast🇬🇧⚽️ (@EveryOtherSatu1) March 18, 2021
No doubt in my mind from Kamara’a reaction that he’s been racially abused
— •Daz🇬🇧🏴• (@AyeReady87) March 18, 2021
Glen kamara and kamara roofe we are family we are the people 🔴⚪🔵
— Callan,bleeds royal BLUE 🇬🇧 (@Callan56127952) March 18, 2021
We stand with Glen Kamara 💙#UEFA #UEFAEuropaLeague #NOtoRacism pic.twitter.com/1WH2RvDVtt
— Blueheart 1872 💙 (@blueheart1872) March 19, 2021
https://twitter.com/Joshuaselfridg9/status/1372815163368353792
I stand with glen kamara there is no room for racism in football. #SayNoToRacism pic.twitter.com/smxdpPsk7J
— The Magic Mod 🃏✌🏻 (@TaylorMod) March 18, 2021
The fall-out to the incident has only just begun and we expect more to come from this with Slavia themselves defiant regarding the accusations.
Everyone at Rangers News stands – unequivocally – with Glen Kamara and any other players who’ve been racially abused.