OUT OF ORDER
Czech politician stokes flames as police file Kamara report
THE bitter fallout from UEFA hitting Ondrej Kudela with a ten-match ban for racially abusing Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara showed no sign of abating yesterday.
In another dramatic day, even the Czech government bizarrely weighed in on an issue that could yet end up in a courtroom.
The Slavia Prague defender will miss the Euro 2020 finals — including the Hampden clash with Scotland — after European football’s governing body found the 34-year-old guilty of ‘racist behaviour’ in last month’s toxic Europa League clash in Glasgow. On Wednesday, Kamara was also handed a three-match ban for assaulting his abuser in the Ibrox tunnel after the match. And yesterday the furore continued as:
A senior official of the Czech Government bizarrely accused UEFA of bowing to ‘the perverted expectations of a small group of
activists’ by banning Kudela.
l Police Scotland confirmed both men could face a possible court appearance, revealing: ‘A report has been sent to the Procurator Fiscal following enquiries into alleged racial abuse and a reported assault at the match between Rangers and Slavia Prague at Ibrox on Thursday, 18 March, 2021.’
l Kamara’s lawyer Aamer Anwar criticised Kudela for failing to co-operate with Police Scotland.
l Alexey Sorokin, UEFA member of the FIFA council, insisted the ten-match ban was ‘correct’ and said it was ‘a waste of time’ to criticise the length of the suspension.
The leniency of UEFA’s punishment for Kudela has drawn criticism from across the spectrum but in a rambling and bizarre open letter to UEFA’s control, ethics and disciplinary body, Vratislav Mynar, who heads up the Office of the President of the Czech Republic, accused European football’s governing body of acting in a ‘pinnacle of hypocrisy’ and discriminating against non-black people by banning Kudela.
‘I note that (the) racism is unproven and alleged,’ wrote Mynar. ‘The UEFA inspector himself questioned that Ondrej Kudela had made a racist statement. Nevertheless, you have decided on a completely unprecedented punishment for a player who did not harm anyone and only verbally — according to his statement — offended his opponent.
‘You condemn a decent person without a single piece of evidence.
‘You make it impossible for athletes to fulfil their dream in the Europa League — all this just to fulfil the perverted expectations of a small group of activists and a club unable to win on the field, all the more so by shouting empty and hurtful phrases about racism.
‘In your submission, the fight against racism has become the fight of the unsuccessful against the successful, the pinnacle of hypocrisy, positive discrimination and embarrassing undermining with stupid trends.
‘Your efforts can lead to the opposite, a situation where a person with a colour other than black will be discriminated against, oppressed and deprived of their rights. That is why I also consider it necessary to oppose this procedure.
‘Although you’re probably not used to it, let me tell you one thing. I very much appreciate the fact that the Czech public does not identify with your verdict, across the whole society.
‘On the contrary, even if only for a short time, you have managed to unite ancient rivals. We will not kneel before you and no threats apply to the Czech football fan.’
Aside from Kamara’s threematch ban, Ibrox team-mate Kemar Roofe has also been given a four-game suspension for the reckless tackle which left
Slavia keeper Ondrej Kolar with a fractured skull. ‘A lot has happened in the mentioned match,’ added Mynar. ‘The opponent’s insidious foul ended in a serious injury to goalkeeper Ondrej Kolar. ‘He ended up with a skull fracture and will have to walk on the field with a helmet for the rest of his life.
‘Result? The player who crushed the opponent’s skull with a football boot received a penalty from you for not entering four matches, another player for a physical attack for a three-match penalty.’
Responding to criticism of the Kudela punishment from both sides, UEFA council member Sorokin defended the decision of the control, ethics and disciplinary body.
‘The whole situation for me is a bit complicated and it’s not unequivocal,’ he told Sky Sports. ‘Under these circumstances, I find the decision correct.
‘Cases like this, there is usually criticism from both sides.
‘There is criticism that it is too long and there is criticism that it’s not long enough.
‘You have to look at the story from both sides.
‘But I think it’s actually a waste of time to criticise the decision because there is a body that is empowered with certain decisions and we have to trust them.
‘There is a decision entailing a certain punishment and the body authorised to make those decisions actually took it. Then, it’s a matter of our confidence in that body.’
The UEFA penalty will have no impact on the investigation being carried out by Scotland’s criminal justice system.
A statement from Kamara’s lawyer Anwar claimed that Police Scotland believe they have enough evidence for a charge of ‘racially aggravated conduct’ against Kudela, with the lawyer also claiming that the Czech defender could be imprisoned for up to six months, fined, or both.
‘It is disappointing that to date Mr Kudela has failed to co-operate with Police Scotland,’ read Anwar’s statement.
‘He has not attended any police interviews, and has failed to provide a full statement to Police Scotland.
‘We would strongly urge Mr Kudela to co-operate with officers carrying out their investigations into his alleged criminal conduct.
‘Conversely, Glen Kamara has fully co-operated with Police Scotland and provided a statement to officers at my offices on Friday 9th April.
‘UEFA found Ondrej Kudela guilty of the charge of racist behaviour. Whilst there was disappointment with the bare minimum ten-game ban which was imposed upon Kudela, Glen felt vindicated by UEFA’s judgment, and hopes that real lessons are learned, not just by Kudela, but also by his club Slavia Prague and their fans.’