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Slavia Prague Ultras Target Rangers Player Glen Kamara With Vile Racist Banner

Slavia Prague Ultras Target Rangers Player Glen Kamara With Vile Racist Banner

Unacceptable.

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

Slavia Prague ultras have unveiled a disgusting banner aimed at Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara in a social media post.

Thursday night's Europa League last 16 second-leg clash between the Czech side 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 what happened both during and after the game has certainly overshadowed the result, including this vile banner.

In a post on Instagram, a Slavia Prague hooligans page displayed the banner targeting Kamara with a racist message. It reads: "Kamara - just a ******".

Image: Instagram
Image: Instagram

Slavia Prague have since distance themselves from authors of the racist photograph.

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.

If you didn't catch the game on Thursday night, a heated scuffle broke out after Slavia player Ondrej Kudela allegedly racially abused Rangers midfielder Kamara.

Footage from the game clearly shows Kudela whisper something into the Finnish player's ear, covering up his mouth while doing so.

In the above clip, Rangers captain Connor Goldson can be seen chasing the offending player, while Bongani Zungu tells the official that the Prague player used the word 'monkey' when talking to Kamara.

After the full-time whistle, Gers manager Steven Gerrard claimed that Kamara had been racially abused.

"I 100 per cent believe what he is saying in terms of the accusation," Gerrard told BT Sport.

"Other players around him heard it so I will stand toe-to-toe with Glen Kamara and I'll deal with this however Glen wants to deal with it.

"I am proud of all my players, tonight showing solidarity and from the top of this club to the bottom we stand with the players. This situation is over to UEFA now. I just hope it doesn't get brushed under the carpet."

"'I feel angry. It's extremely disappointing. There is too much of it happening around football

Later that evening, Czech side's president Jaroslav Tvrdik 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.

Slavia Prague have since filed a criminal complaint for an alleged "brutal" assault on Ondrej Kudela after Thursday's game against Rangers.

Kamara, meanwhile, has released a statement of his own, where he has opened up about what Kudela allegedly said to him on the pitch.

He said: ""There is no place for racism or any form of bigotry in football.

"Since summer many of us have taken the knee in solidarity with those who have lost their lives to racial violence.

"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 Kudela, took place on the international stage, and any failure to act by UEFA will be viewed as a greenlight for racism.

"During yesterday's match with Slavia Prague, Kudela was arguing with a Rangers player and after I tried to intervene, he told me to shut up and then said 'one second my friend'.

"He then came over to me covering his mouth, leaning into my ear, he uttered the words - 'You're a f****** monkey, you know you are'.

"I was shocked and horrified to hear such racist abuse from a professional football player.

"Kudela's claim he simply swore at me and said 'You're a f****** guy' is a complete utter lie, which does not stand up to any form of scrutiny."

Image: PA
Image: PA

Kamara continued, saying: "Kudela's actions were deliberate and premeditated, but he was loud enough for my team-mate Bongani Zungu to hear what was said.

"I am grateful for the unconditional support of my team, our club and especially our manager Steven Gerrard.

"I want to thank not just our Rangers fans, but the many fans from across the football community and beyond, for calling out racism not just against myself, but also fellow player Kemar Roofe, who was subjected to a tirade of racist bile on Instagram.

"We as black players are sick of the freedom that such bigots are given to parade their hatred on social media and wonder when the likes of Instagram will start to take action."

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Football, Europa League, Rangers