The ongoing war of words between Rangers and Slavia Prague shows no signs of slowing as both clubs release statements regarding an incident of racist abuse.
Rangers remain adamant that they will stick by midfielder Glen Kamara who was racially abused by Slavia defender and Czech international Ondřej Kúdela in the Gers’ 2-0 Europa League defeat against the Czech side at Ibrox.
The incident drew the ire of several players and once again Connor Goldson this morning who shut down a journalist who used the term “allegedly” regarding the verbal assault.
Rangers have been clear they will not tolerate the sort of language used by Kúdela with midfielder Bongani Zungu clear in the clip below regarding what was said:
https://twitter.com/NYCRFC/status/1372747663880417281
Managing director Stewart Robertson commented via the statement in a clear and unequivocal defence of Rangers star Glen Kamara and other players who’ve been targeted online.
“Racism is unacceptable in any form and in any setting,” said Robertson [Rangers].
“The racist abuse suffered by Glen Kamara will not be tolerated by Rangers. As a club, we stand resolutely behind Glen as we support him and his teammates.
“We stand behind each and every one of our players. Regardless of race, religion, colour or creed -if you wear the famous blue of Rangers FC, you are one of our own. Everyone, Anyone.
“Several of our players have subsequently received racist, threatening and sickening abuse online. This is abhorrent and once again highlights the responsibility social media outlets have in eradicating abuse from faceless cowards.
“We refuse to acknowledge any attempt to defend, deflect or deny the abuse Glen Kamara experienced last night.
“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.
“We note the injury sustained by Ondrej Kolar during an accidental collision last night. Our Club Doctor treated the player and we hope he has a speedy recovery. We wish the club well in the next round of the Europa League.
“There will be no further comment until we receive a response from UEFA.”
Slavia have however refused to acknowledge the racist abuse and continue to claim that they also take a defiant stand against racism and intolerance.
The Prague club also reiterate a claim made in the early hours of Friday morning that Kúdela was assaulted by Glen Kamara.
Alongside this, Slavia criticise what they describe as “heavy-handed behaviour” from Rangers after their goalkeeper Ondřej Kolář suffered a fractured skull following a high boot challenge from Kemar Roofe, for which he received a red card.
In the quite incredible statement, Slavia reiterate that Kúdela is professing his innocence whilst claiming one player assaulted the Czech defender and “fled” into the dressing room.
Read the whole thing HERE but here’s a cut up version with the main points:
“The firm commitment to fight racism, xenophobia and all forms of hatred is one of the pillars of Slavia football policy.
“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.
“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.
“Under the patronage and in the presence of the UEFA delegation, the coaches of both teams, Ondřej Kúdela and Glen Kamara met.
“After the arrival of Slavia representatives, Ondřej was physically abused by the player of Rangers FC who then fled into the locker rooms followed by the manager Steven Gerrard without a single word of apology.
“The incident is thoroughly described in the match protocol and Slavia will consider filing a criminal complaint after their return to the Czech Republic.
“The movement of Slavia players and management was unprecedentedly restricted after the game.
“The players and staff were protected by the Czech Embassy in London and local police. We would like to express our gratitude for their professionalism.”
Yes, that’s right – even if they won’t admit the situation involving Ondřej Kúdela and Glen Kamara this apparent bastion of racial morality is yet to condemn the horrific abuse players have had to take on social media from their fans as a result of this fallout.
It’s obviously a horror show of a club ran by horrors for horrors and it looks Rangers will have to take them all the way on this, if that is what Kamara and the other players affected want.
Why would anyone believe this mob? You only need to compare their club president’s tweeting last night with the comments of Police Scotland.
