Gerrard accuses Slavia Prague player of racially abusing Rangers’ Glen Kamara
Steven Gerrard accused Slavia Prague’s Ondrej Kudela of racially abusing Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara after tempers flared during their Europa League clash.
Rangers were knocked out of the competition in a 2-0 defeat at Ibrox, which they ended with nine men after Leon Balogun and Kemar Roofe were both sent off.
Liverpool legend Gerrard admitted afterwards that his side had been beaten by the better team – but he was fuming over an incident late in the game.
Slavia defender Kudela said something to Kamara while covering his mouth – and the Rangers midfielder reacted with shock and anger as team-mates leapt to his defence.
Kudela and Rangers defender Conor Goldson were both booked in the ensuing melee – and Gerrard afterwards gave his backing to Kamara.
Speaking to the media, the Gers manager said: “First, I’ll deal with the football side. We were beaten by the better team over the two legs so congratulations to Slavia.
"They deserved it and in no way do I want to sit here and be a bad loser and come out with any excuses. I’m really proud of my player for the efforts and the journey they took us on.
“In terms of the other incident, I have to be careful what I say but you build relationships in football and I have built a very, very strong relationship with Glen Kamara.
“Glen Kamara to me is one of my own. I 100 percent believe what he is saying in terms of the accusation. Other players around him heard it.
“I will stand with Glen Kamara and deal with it however he wants to deal with it. I’m proud of all of my players tonight. They showed solidarity and from the top of this club to the bottom we stand with the players.
Gerrard urged European football bosses to investigate, saying: “It’s over to UEFA now, this situation, and I just hope it doesn’t get brushed under the carpet.
“I feel angry right now. It’s difficult to describe how I feel because I know Glen, I trust him 100 percent. It’s extremely disappointing and there’s too much of it happening around football.
“The Slavia player has caused this, caused the situation to escalate even further because straight away the fans join in and the racism just grows and grows and grows."
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The Rangers boss called for more action against racism, saying: “Something needs to happen quickly, that is above me. But 100 percent I stand with Glen.
"The disappointing thing for me is there are people trying to defend the opposition player – calling us liars.
"Sometimes during your career things happen that are more important than the game, that are above football. That’s what happened tonight."
After the game, Slavia president Jaroslav Tvrdik took to Twitter saying the club denied the allagation of racial abuse.
He tweeted: "Slavia categorically opposes the fact that the player Ondrej Kudela racially insulted the players' opponents in any way."
Kamara's respresentatives and UEFA have been contacted for comment.
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