Shamed Slavia star saved trip to Scotland by new Brexit rule
Czech Government ministers have revealed they will not allow Slavia Prague defender, Ondrej Kudela, to be extradited to face possible legal consequences in the UK without his consent – due to new Brexit rules.
Kudela was banned for 10 games by UEFA, following the racist remarks he aimed towards Rangers midfielder, Glen Kamara, in the explosive Europa League Last 16 clash at Ibrox last month.
The decision has caused outrage in the Czech Republic, with even their president, Milos Zeman, complaining about it.
He’s been urged to take the decision to the Court of Arbitration in Switzerland.
Police Scotland have reported Kudela to the procurator fiscal, and a case of “racially aggravated conduct” has been submitted to prosecution services here.
If convicted, Kudela faces up to six months in prison.
However, Kudela could simply decide to
stay in his homeland, and refuse to travel to the UK because of the consequences of Brexit.
When the UK left the European Union on December 31, it also ended its participation in the European Arrest Warrants scheme.
While 10 countries will not extradite criminals, a further two – the Czech Republic and Austria – will now only do so with the consent of the individual.
Kudela’s lawyer, Radek Pokorny, said: “It is a process of co- operation with the Scottish police, and with the full co-operation of both Slavia and Kudela.
“They are also proceeding in the same way about the possible assault in the tunnel after the match.”
Kamara received a three- game ban from UEFA for that alleged incident.