FINNS WEAR GLEN T-SHIRTS
FINLAND stars have come out in solidarity with Glen Kamara by wearing T-shirts with the message “I Stand With Glen”.
It comes as the Rangers midfielder thanked the football world for its backing over last week’s racism storm while he confirmed he has held talks over a new contract.
Ex-Celtic striker Teemu Pukki led the Ibrox star’s national team-mates in a show of support ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Bosnia this evening, demanding UEFA kick racism out of football.
Police have launched an investigation after Kamara accused Slavia Prague player Ondrej Kudela of calling him a “f ***** g monkey” during Thursday’s Europa League last-16 showdown at Ibrox.
Kudela was seen whispering in the 25-yearold’s ear in the closing stages of the 2-0 defeat.
Pukki said: “You have to eradicate stuff like that immediately. Racism does not belong anywhere.
“The only way to get rid of it is by UEFA handing out long sanctions. So the wise men in charge of football who make these decisions have a chance to get rid of racism by doing the right thing.
“Glen did exactly what he should have done by highlighting what was said to him immediately.
“There is no chance he would have reacted in that way unless something very bad was said to him.
“The way he reacted clearly showed their player made a racist remark.”
Kamara has been backed by the wider Scottish football fraternity, with both Rangers and Celtic standing united against racism ahead of last Sunday’s derby.
Hoops skipper Scott Brown marched the length of the park to throw an arm round the Finn in a show of solidarity ahead of kick-off.
Motherwell and Dundee United also swapped taking the knee for a stand against racism on Saturday.
And speaking at the Finland press conference last night, Kamara was keen to stress his thanks for the backing he’s received from the wider football world.
He said: “Support has been great and I am grateful for that.
“I’m glad that so many have stood by my side.”
Asked about his contract at Ibrox, he said: “There have been some talks. I still have two years on my contract and there’s still time over the summer to see what will happen.”
Ibrox team-mate Filip Helander, with the Sweden squad ahead of their World Cup qualifying opener against Georgia tomorrow, said: “Racism continues to happen in football.
“We hope that UEFA can ban players who express themselves in that way.”