Slavia Prague make serious Rangers accusations of 'biased pressure' and 'cover up'

Slavia Prague have made a number of accusations against Rangers and Glen Kamara. Picture: Getty

The Czech side’s midfielder Ondřej Kúdela was accused of racially abusing the Finnish star during the club's recent Europa League meeting at Ibrox.

In turn, Slavia have backed their player and accused Kamara of assaulting him in the tunnel.

A statement was released on Wednesday where the club made a range of serious accusations.

Club president Jaroslav Tvrdík believes Kudela is a “victim of prejudice and a presumption of guilt”.

“The pending investigations conducted by the officials of UEFA and the local Police have made no findings so far,” he said in a lengthy statement.

"However, our player Ondřej Kúdela has already been the subject of a public ‘conviction’ without any evidence whatsoever; he is a victim of prejudice and a presumption of guilt.

"The UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector is still conducting an investigation regarding the incidents in question and has been granted additional time until 5 April 2021 to deliver his report.

“We believe in an evidence – and law-based process whereby Ondřej and our club both provide necessary cooperation to the respective authorities. We have presented evidence which, in our view, cleanses Ondřej of an unjustified accusation of racism.”

‘Xenophobic prejudice’

Tvrdík also accused Rangers of trying to “cover up” their “overtly aggressive” play, noting the Kemar Roofe red card for a challenge on the club’s goalkeeper.

While the statement also references xenophobic prejudice from the British media “against clubs and players and, in general, against people from Central and Eastern Europe”.

“The sad side of the whole matter is that Rangers are trying to cover up overtly aggressive play by their team,” Tvrdík said.

“During the match itself, our goalkeeper Ondřej Kolář was gravely injured and sustained a frontal sinus fracture while our doctor was prevented to examine him on site even dozens of minutes after the final whistle. Not to mention that there were several other serious fouls against our players and a number of those have remained unpunished.

"Such behaviour does not belong in the prestigious UEFA Europa League.”

‘Disgraceful incident’

In addition, Tvrdík accused Kamara of “roughly assaulting” Kudela in the Ibrox tunnel.

“If someone is wondering what happened, the Rangers delegation claimed a wish to speak to Ondřej in order to clarify the alleged racial insult,” he said.

"The conversation was about to take place in the tunnel under the patronage and in the presence of the UEFA match delegation and the coaches of both teams. However, the cameras covering the meeting place were purposely covered and then Mr Kamara, with no warning and obviously having zero intention to have the suggested conversation, roughly assaulted Ondřej by punching him to the face.

"After trying to continue fighting he fled into the dressing room followed by Mr Gerrard without a single word of apology. It is a disgraceful incident.”

The statement finished with the club calling for “calm” until there “the results of a proper and independent investigation of both incidents” are published.