Slavia Prague defender, Ondrej Kudela has been banned for 10 matches by UEFA after being found guilty of racist behaviour towards Rangers’ Glen Kamara, who will serve a three-game suspension.
Kamara accused Kudela of racially abusing him during their Europa League last-16 match on March 18 in Ibrox.
Kudela had been provisionally suspended for one match as UEFA opened disciplinary proceedings, which ruled the Czech Republic international out of Slavia’s 1-1 draw at Arsenal last week. He will now be ineligible for the next nine games played by either Slavia in Europe or his country, including this summer’s European Championship.
Kamara was also suspended for three UEFA club competition games after he was found guilty of assaulting Kudela in the tunnel after the match at Ibrox.
The Czech Republic international denied the racism allegations, insisting he told the player he was ‘a f***ing guy’ as he whispered something into Kamara’s ear during the Czech side’s 2-0 win.
Footage from the game showed Kudela covering his mouth before saying something to Kamara, who immediately reacted with fury.
Do Kamara was not involved at all? See the hidden message and the kickoff? Wonder what was said….. pic.twitter.com/wX8W2AcHS5 — Jamés (@jamiemcmathx) March 18, 2021
Rangers boss Steven Gerrard said he was “angry and upset” after Kamara told him he was racially abused towards the end of Slavia Prague’s 2-0 win at Ibrox which knocked Rangers out of the Europa League 3-1 on aggregate.
“My player tells me he was racially abused,” Gerrard was quoted saying by BBC Sport.
“And the disappointing thing is that their people are trying to defend their player and calling us liars.
“I feel angry. I know Glen and trust him 100%. The Slavia player has caused this and something needs to happen quickly but that is above me. But whatever happens, I stand next to Glen.
“I don’t even feel like talking about football just now. It’s over to UEFA now and I just hope it doesn’t get pushed under the carpet.”
Rangers striker Kemar Roofe has also been suspended for four European matches after UEFA charged him with ‘assault’ during the same match.
Roofe was sent off during Rangers’ 2-0 home defeat after a poor challenge saw him kick Slavia Prague goalkeeper Ondrej Kolar in the face.
Kolar was left with a fractured skull and the governing body has now cited him for ‘dangerously assaulting another player’.
For their part in the fracas on the pitch after the game, Rangers have been fined €9,000 (£7,800) after being found guilty of improper conduct.
By Usman O.