Daily Record

SFARACISTY­OB BAN PLAN PUTS UEFATOSHAM­E

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shop-a-yob text service to allow fans to report fellow supporters engaging in vile behaviour – drew up their proposals after seeing Gers ace Kamara subjected to a disgusting verbal attack by Slavia Prague defender Ondrej Kudela in March.

But while Anwar – who revealed Finland star Kamara has faced a fresh torrent of online abuse after being targeted by the supporters of Slavia’s city rivals Sparta Prague during a Europa League clash last week – is delighted to see Scottish football finally taking the issue seriously, he has launched a scathing attack on the European game’s governing body.

Anwar told Record Sport: “These proposals certainly show the SFA is taking the issue of discrimina­tion much more seriously than UEFA is.

“UEFA have been left in a position now where they don’t even have any independen­t observers and they are relying on fans to tell them what’s going on.

“So this is a welcome step forward and it shows the SFA are serious. Black and ethic minority players have said for a long time it’s not their responsibi­lity to tackle racism. That burden shouldn’t rest with the likes of Glen or others.

“This will only stop when authoritie­s start to take it seriously. That doesn’t mean tokenistic, derisory fines, being suspended for a couple of games or half emptying a stadium.

“They need to hit them where it hurts and where it will hurt a team is when a player is suspended potentiall­y for a year. Then they will think twice about engaging in such conduct.

“If they can’t act like decent human beings by not engaging in the kind of conduct that would normally have them arrested on a public street then they shouldn’t be doing it at a place or work on a football pitch.

“If that is what is required to tackle the menace of racism on Scotland’s playing fields then so be it. The SFA are putting UEFA to shame. By taking these steps, they’ve shown more courage and determinat­ion to eradicate than UEFA.”

Kudela was handed a 10-game ban after he was found guilty of racially abusing Kamara in an explosive clash at Ibrox back in March.

Despite being the victim, Kamara suffered a backlash as he was branded a liar by Czech supporters while also subjecting the Rangers midfielder to further racist abuse over social media.

And Anwar revealed that depressing pattern has been repeated since last week’s incident at the Letna Stadium – now being investigat­ed by UEFA – which saw 10000 school kids repeatedly boo the 25-year-old every time he touched the ball.

He said: “Glen is doing good. He’s disappoint­ed with what happened but all he wants to do is get on with his football and he’s doing that.

“He’s grateful for the support, not just from Rangers fans but supporters right across the board. It’s not only Steven Gerrard who has been outstandin­g on this front, there’s been the likes of Neil Lennon and other managers who have backed him.

“The incident last week sparked another wave of abuse. Glen had to switch off his phone that night because it was awash with abuse through social media. I got exactly the same – racist abuse and death threats, the use of the ’N’ word and threats to your family.

“Literally within seconds of complainin­g about what happened on the pitch it all started again. The thing I find really strange is that those fans denying any abuse took place, their default position is to attack using vile, racist abuse.”

 ?? ?? BURDEN Anwar insists UEFA need to be doing more
BURDEN Anwar insists UEFA need to be doing more

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