https://theathletic.com/2461829/2021/03/19/anger-hurt-and-a-fight-after-rangers-glen-kamara-was-called-a-fking-monkey/

Anger, hurt and a fight after Rangers’ Glen Kamara was called a ‘f**king monkey’


By Jordan Campbell
2h ago 47

After 87 minutes of frustration for Rangers, the 3-1 aggregate defeat and two red cards against Slavia Prague suddenly paled into insignificance when Ondrej Kudela walked up to Glen Kamara and shouted in his ear, while covering his mouth.

The Rangers manager Steven Gerrard confirmed that Kamara had alleged there had been a racial slur used against him. The Athletic has been told by several sources that the alleged words in question were “fucking monkey”.

“Some things happen in your career and in matches that are bigger than football and unfortunately this game will be soured by this incident,” said an emotional Gerrard.

Slavia Prague released a statement last night “resolutely denying” the allegations in which Kudela gave his own version of events: “I told him, ‘You fucking guy’. It was said in emotions, but I absolutely deny there was anything racist in those words.”

The Czech Republic club released another statement on Friday. It read: “Ondrej Kudela 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 Ondrej does on a regular basis when he talks to his team-mates during our games.”

Kudela had walked across the pitch to speak to Kamara while a Slavia player was awaiting treatment. When he leaned in to speak to Kamara, the Rangers midfielder obliged and tilted his head to listen but he then aggressively shouted into his ear while cupping his face with his hands to prevent what was said from being seen.

Kamara was immediately enraged, as was his team-mate Bongani Zungu who was close by. Both players alerted the referee that they believed a racist term had been used and followed Kudela while pointing at him before they were held back. The two Slavia players close to the incident were Simon Deli and Abdallah Sima, both black players. It is not known what any Slavia players heard. Deli can be seen saying something to Kudela out of shot after he moves away and is the one player who remains unmoved.

Things escalated when the Rangers captain Connor Goldson came over to Kamara to ask what had been said. After he told him, Goldson turned and sprinted towards Kudela, getting a hold of him along with Kamara. Players on both sides broke things up and the referee Orel Grinfeld showed Goldson a yellow card, along with Kudela.

Seven minutes of additional time meant the nine men of Rangers had to get back to playing but, although the situation had de-escalated, several of the players were still furious. Goldson said today that he had “never been so angry on a football pitch”. He continued: “I completely lost my cool and for the remainder of the game I just wanted to hurt someone.”

Gerrard came on to the pitch to speak to the Slavia head coach Jindrich Trpisovsky and could also be seen delivering a robust message to Deli, who was walking next to Goldson and Kudela.

Most of the Slavia players stayed out on the pitch to celebrate and were huddled around a phone at one stage. Meanwhile, the Rangers players locked the double doors leading into the tunnel from the inside, which meant the Slavia players had to try to find an open door in the West Enclosure to get back in. It is understood that cameras in the tunnel were told to be turned off and due to COVID-19 protocols no broadcasters are allowed in that area at the moment.

There are said to have been mixed emotions in the dressing room as some had not featured or had not witnessed the events up close, while others were icing bumps and bruises. But there was also a group who were upset at not being able to deal with what had happened.

Gerrard, sporting director Ross Wilson and chairman Douglas Park were all seen pitchside but it was the former who was making his points clear to the Slavia officials.

It is believed that there was an initial discussion in the tunnel area but that it escalated and resulted in a “physical altercation” with officials from both teams present. UEFA said they were “aware” of an incident in the tunnel but would await receiving the match reports before commenting further on this incident or the alleged racism.

Slavia’s statement said: “After the end of the game, the team was not allowed to enter the dressing room. 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. The team is now safe accompanied by the Scottish police.”

Police Scotland said “no reports of criminality have been made by either club in connection with last night’s match” but the Czech embassy in London confirmed that they had been called to assist with security as the team were not allowed to leave Ibrox after the match for a “prolonged period”.

Kamara and Gerrard, along with UEFA staff and security, were seen standing at the dugouts before Gerrard led Kamara away along the trackside to the corner of the Copland Stand with his arms around the player — who still had his full kit on.

He is said to have looked “crestfallen” according to a witness but a source close to the player said he had recovered emotionally after the events on Thursday night, receiving support from players and friends beyond the support of the club.

Slavia quickly took to social media to refute the allegations. Their chairman Jaroslav Tvrdik said on Twitter that the club “categorically opposes” the allegation of racism and that their player had been attacked.

The club statement later said Slavia “faced an unprecedentedly malicious play from their opponents” but Rangers players and coaches were repeatedly pleading with the referee to not fall for what they saw as play-acting.

An Ibrox source hit back at Tvrdik’s claim and they told The Scottish Sun: “That’s utter nonsense. The only person attacked at Ibrox tonight was Glen Kamara. Slavia Prague are trying to play the victims.”

Rangers’ managing director Stewart Robertson stated that the club stand “resolutely behind” Kamara and his team-mates. He confirmed that he met Gerrard, Wilson and Park to discuss a united stance and that they reported the incident to the match delegate to form part of his report.

“UEFA will be well aware the football world is watching,” said Robertson. “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.”

Robertson highlighted the “abhorrent” abuse that Kemar Roofe was subjected to on Instagram, mostly from Czech accounts. He posted six screenshots including monkey, banana and gorilla emojis as well as the N-word. “I could be here all night screenshotting all of these types of comments @europaleague,” his post read.

Slavia were involved in another racism storm in November 2019 when Romelu Lukaku said “the whole stadium” had used racist chants against him and his Inter Milan team-mates.

The Czech club batted back: “We analysed available footages, and none confirmed Mr Lukaku’s statement,” they said. “The club has already apologised for individuals’ behaviour and it would be appropriate for Mr Lukaku to apologise for his words too.”

Any player found guilty of breaching article 14 in the UEFA regulations on racism and other discriminatory conduct faces a minimum of a 10-game suspension or for a specified period of time.

Gerrard said that he hopes it is not “brushed under the carpet” but his captain criticised what he perceives to be a lack of action on stamping out racism.

“It never will get eradicated because there are so many token gestures out there,” said Goldson. “Taking a knee — token gesture from the higher authorities to make it look like they are doing something to help.

“But they are not doing anything because when these things happen there is no consequence. There might be a fine but it’s never enough. You get fined more for showing an advertisement on your underwear more than you do for being racist or having a supporter that’s being racist. It will never change.”