Glen branded ‘a butcher’ by coach
The storm around Glen Kamara continues to rage, with Czech FA President, Petr Fousek, praising Sparta Prague for the atmosphere created by kids.
And coach, Otto Hynek, who took a youth team to the tie, said: “There was no racism. The booing at Kamara’s red card was mocking him. If someone else had behaved like a butcher, they’d have booed him too.”
Czech FA President,
Petr Fousek, has praised Sparta Prague for the atmosphere created by youngsters in their Europa League game against Rangers.
And a coach of a kids’ club who was at the game strongly refuted the allegations of racism towards Glen Kamara after pointing out none of the Light Blues’ other black players were booed.
Kamara was jeered throughout the match, and was later sent off.
The crowd consisted of 10,000 kids, after Sparta were initially ordered to play the match behind closed doors, due to racist abuse during a match against Monaco in August.
The club took advantage of a UEFA exemption for children under 14 to attend.
It has sparked major controversy, with the Ibrox club writing to UEFA, and the Czech government summoning the British ambassador in Prague for showdown talks over what they claim are attacks on their children.
Czech FA chief, Fouse, said: “I’d like to take this opportunity to appreciate the atmosphere that the children created in the Letna Stadium, which was really amazing.
“Congratulations to Sparta on the idea of filling the stands with children, and I am glad that UEFA accepted this proposal.
“As president of the Czech FA, we’ve been focused on combating any manifestations of intolerance. So I completely reject a similar generalisation of the problem of racism.
“It is unacceptable to overturn the reality that I saw at Letna into what I subsequently read about.”
The Czech childrens’ groups who attended the game had to be accompanied by an adult.
Lower-league club, FK Nachod, sent one of their youth teams to the game, accompanied by coach, Otto Hynek.
He said: “There was no racism. Yes, the stands roared against Kamara, but not the other black players from Rangers.
“For example, there was a black Rangers player with braids. He was on the ball all the time and no one booed him.
“When Kamara got sent off, the booing was mocking him. If someone else had behaved like a butcher, they would have booed him, too.
“People are asking why didn’t the kids whistle instead of boo, and I’ve read that because they booed Kamara, it must be racism.
“But they didn’t whistle because they can’t – they are children! So they booed instead.
“I totally reject any accusations of racism.”
Sparta spokesman, Ondrej Kasik, pointed out they handed out anti-racism booklets to the kids before the game.
He added: “All the statements I’ve read about our kids since the game are xenophobic and offensive.
“It’s bullying towards children, their parents, coaches, teachers and, in fact, all Czechs.”