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Gareth Bale Elbows Ondrej Kudela In The Face During Wales vs Czech Republic

Gareth Bale Elbows Ondrej Kudela In The Face During Wales vs Czech Republic

Ouch.

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

Czech Republic and Slavia Prague defender Ondrej Kudela was unable to finish Tuesday night's World Cup qualifier against Wales after an incident involving Gareth Bale.

The 34-year-old centre-back was replaced by Antonio Barak in the 87th minute of last night's clash at the Cardiff City Stadium after he was struck by a nasty elbow from the Real Madrid winger, currently on loan at Spurs.

Kudela, who is being investigated by UEFA after being accused of racially abusing Glen Kamara in the Europa League, required medical attention following the elbow and was soon brought off.

Here is that incident from the game on Tuesday night.

It was an elbow that sparked a huge reaction on social media as Wales secured all three points against the Czech Republic in Group E after a late header from Manchester United winger Daniel James.

"I'm sure there will be large sections of the football community that won't be too upset to see him [Kudela] take a blow to the face," said the Sky Sports commentator.


Bale's elbow comes just weeks after a Europa League last 16 second-leg clash between Slavia Prague and Rangers was tainted by claims of racism and violence.

Slavia went through to the quarter-final stages of the competition after a 2-0 win on the night but an incident involving that man Ondrej Kudela and Glen Kamara overshadowed the result.

Kamara claims he was racially abused by Kudela during the Europa League last 16 second leg, with footage from the game showing Kudela whisper something into the Finnish player's ear while covering up his mouth.

The Rangers player later has released a statement of his own, where he has opened up about what Kudela allegedly said to him on the pitch.


Slavia Prague have since distanced themselves from authors of a racist photograph - where a Slavia Prague hooligans page displayed the banner targeting Kamara with a racist message. It reads: "Kamara - just a ******".

In a statement, they say the club have filed a criminal complaint against unknown individuals involved in the preparation and publishing of the picture. They will also launch their own inquiry into the matter.

On the night of the incident, Czech side's president Jaroslav Tvrdik also took to social media to categorically deny any racist abuse took place, and later claimed that Kudela was physically attacked in the tunnel after full-time.

Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports

Topics: Football, Europa League, gareth bale, Czech Republic, World Cup, Wales, Rangers