STAND FIRM
Rangers may stop taking the knee after racism storm
RANGERS players will consider whether to stop taking the knee prior to today’s Old Firm derby with Celtic at Parkhead as they await action against the racist abuse suffered by Glen Kamara and Kemar Roofe.
The Ibrox club are demanding ‘unequivocal’ action from UEFA after being angered and sickened by the abuse suffered by Kamara and Roofe this week. The squad has discussed if the pre-match protest really sends out a strong enough message.
Both Motherwell and Dundee United opted not to take the knee before their Premiership fixtures yesterday and Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has left a decision on what to do before today’s noon kick-off in the hands of club skipper James Tavernier and his vice-captain Connor Goldson.
Motherwell boss Graham Alexander revealed his players discussed abandoning the knee gesture even before Thursday night’s Europa League tie between Rangers and Slavia Prague, while United manager Micky Mellon said that his squad wished to stand in solidarity with their counterparts at Ibrox. Kamara
insists he was called ‘a monkey’ by Slavia Prague’s Ondrej Kudela during Thursday night’s Europa League tie at Ibrox. Kudela refuted the allegations and has countered that he was punched by Kamara in the tunnel after the game.
In a further depraved twist, sick images posted by Slavia Prague ultras on Friday showed them holding a banner with a disgusting message aimed at Kamara. The images were eventually taken down but Kamara and Roofe have been targeted on social media with further vile abuse.
UEFA opened an investigation into Thursday night’s ugly scenes but admit they have limited power over social-media platforms, prompting Kamara and his team-mates to join the clamour for greater punishments to be handed out and such social media accounts to be deleted more swiftly. Kamara’s legal representative Aamer Anwar told Sportsmail: ‘Though he has listened to Slavia Prague’s robust denials regarding racism, my client has yet to see any condemnation from the club regarding the images posted by their fans. We are sick of the freedom given to these abusers on social media platforms.
‘When issues of copyright arise, posts are taken down almost immediately, yet what quick steps were taken here when we see a banner with the N-word left on view? It gives opportunity for further abuse and incites hatred.’
Mr Anwar revealed that, despite statements to the contrary from Slavia Prague, Scottish police have yet to receive any criminal complaint regarding Kamara’s alleged attack on Kudela following Thursday’s game. He also underlined the importance of manager Gerrard’s unwavering support and that Kamara had received messages of solidarity from across the game, including many from Celtic fans.
‘Glen is extremely grateful to Rangers and the outstanding, unconditional statement of support from his manager Steven Gerrard,’ continued Anwar. ‘He is also extremely grateful for messages from many Celtic fans wishing him well. Despite the great football divide it’s good to know there is a unity in this fight.
‘If UEFA and other organisations are serious about giving racism the red card, we need to see more than just condemning it. We need to see tough sanctions deployed.
‘Senior players are opting not to take the knee because it is seen as tokenism and it will continue to be tokenistic unless we see real change.’