Gerrard: Kamara was racially abused during Rangers’ Europa League loss
Glen Kamara claimed he was racially abused by a Slavia Prague player near the end of Thursday night’s Europa League defeat, according to Rangers manager, Steven Gerrard.
Furious confrontations erupted in the closing stages of the 2-0 defeat at Ibrox, which saw Rangers knocked out of the Europa League.
Rangers’ Connor Goldson and Slavia centre-half Ondrej Kudela were booked as a result and Kamara was visibly furious with a comment made by Kudela.
Czech side Slavia have denied all allegations of racism.
Scotland Police were then called to Ibrox amid a claim from Slavia that Rangers’ Kamara assaulted Kudela after the match.
No reports of criminality have been made by either club in connection with the incidents, Police confirmed on Friday.
UEFA has told Sky Sports News it is waiting on reports from the match delegate and referee.
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Rangers forward Kemar Roofe, who was sent off in the match, was later subjected to racist abuse on the social media platform Instagram.
Rangers boss Gerrard urged UEFA to thoroughly investigate the alleged racist abuse of Kamara.
“Glen Kamara to me is one of my own, like all of them in that dressing room,” said Gerrard. “I 100 per cent believe him, what he’s saying in terms of the accusation.
“Other players around it heard it. I will stand toe-to-toe with Glen Kamara.”
Players from both teams reacted furiously after Ondrej Kudela spoke to Glen Kamara
In a statement released on the Slavia’s English language website, Kudela admitted he had used offensive language but added: “It was said in emotions, but I absolutely deny there was anything racist in those words.”
Rangers players opted to remain on the pitch after the alleged racist incident, according to Gerrard.
“I tried to call Glen over during the game, he didn’t come over,” said Gerrard. “I was going to ask him did he want to leave the pitch? I would have backed him whatever his decision was. The players stayed on the pitch, that was their decision.”
He added: “The Slavia player has caused this, and he’s caused it to escalate. Something needs to happen quickly that is above me.
“That situation is not normal; why does he cover his mouth to say something? Their people are trying to defend him, and saying he doesn’t do it.”
Steven Gerrard gestures towards Ondrej Kudela, later suggesting the Slavia Prague player had made racist comments
Anti-racism charity Show Racism the Red Card praised Gerrard for his response to the alleged racism.
“His very visible and strong intervention will go a long way to reassuring Glen, and also in projecting a sense of powerful allyship with the thousands of Black, Asian and minority ethnic supporters across the country watching on, who continue to endure racism in all its forms, every day,” a statement read.
According to Slavia, events boiled over after the final whistle when the team were not allowed into the dressing room after the final whistle at Ibrox.
The club said: “Ondrej Kudela was assaulted by player Kamara and hit with fists in the head when Rangers manager Steven Gerrard witnessed the incident.
“Even the UEFA representatives who were also present on the site of the incident were shocked by this behaviour.”
A UEFA spokesperson has told Sky Sports News the organisation “is aware of an incident which occurred in the tunnel after the end of the match and which involved some players of both teams”.
“We are waiting to receive detailed reports of the match officials who were present at the game before commenting further,” they said.