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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Darren Wells

Slavia Prague file criminal complaint against Rangers for 'brutal, deliberate assault'

Slavia Prague claim they have filed a criminal complaint against Rangers over what they describe as a "brutal attack" on defender Ondrej Kudela.

The second leg of the Europa League last-16 tie between the two sides at Ibrox on Thursday has been marred by controversy after Glen Kamara accused Kudela of racially abusing him after the match.

Kudela has denied the allegations, with strong backing from Slavia, with UEFA now investigating the matter further.

UEFA are also aware of an incident which occurred in the tunnel after the final whistle.

Slavia released a statement on Friday claiming "Kudela was assaulted by player Kamara and hit with fists in the head when Rangers manager Steven Gerrard witnessed the incident."

Glen Kamara and Ondrej Kudela clash on the field after the match at Ibrox (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The Czech club have now followed up that statement with another, published on their official website.

It reads: "SK Slavia Praha filed a criminal complaint with the Scottish Police through the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Great Britain for physically assaulting player Ondrej Kudela.

"The attack on player Ondrej Kudela was prepared and thought out, including deliberately covering the cameras at the scene of the incident. The brutal attack was carried out with full intensity in order to injure and cause physical damage.

"The submission contains the names of witnesses, who, in addition to representatives of SK Slavia Prague, were also representatives of the UEFA delegation and Rangers FC coach Steven Gerrard."

Kamara has accused Kudela of racially abusing him (Pool via REUTERS)

Despite Slavia's claim, a Police Scotland spokesperson told Mirror Football : "No reports of criminality have been made by either club in connection with Thursdays match.

"Police Scotland has contacted club officials and assured them that should any allegation be received it will be investigated thoroughly."

A legal representative for Glen Kamara told Mirror Football on Saturday: "I spoke to senior officers from Police Scotland and it's their understanding that no complaint has been made as yet.

"That may change and if it does we will deal with it when it happens."

Mirror Football have contacted Rangers and Slavia Prague for comment.

Kamara has released his own statement on social media via his solicitor regarding the racial abuse he claims he received from Kudela.

"As a player, I do not expect myself, nor any other to have to tolerate racial hatred on or off the pitch in 2021. The vile racist abuse by Ondrej Kedel [sic - Kudela], took place on the international stage, and any failure to act by UEFA will be viewed as a green light for racism," Kamara's statement read.

"During yesterday's match with Slavia Prague, Kedel [sic - Kudela] was arguing with a Rangers player and after I tried to intervene, he told me to shut up and then said 'one second my friend.'

"He then came over to me covering his mouth, leaning into my ear, he uttered the words - 'You're a f****** monkey, you know you are.'"

"I was shocked and horrified to hear such racist abuse from a professional football player. Kedel's [sic - Kudela's] claim he simply swore at me and said 'You're a f****** guy' is a complete utter lie which does not stand up to any form of scrutiny."

Rangers assistant manager consoles Kamara as he leaves the pitch (Kirk O'Rourke/Rangers FC/REX/Shutterstock)

He added: "Kedel's [sic - Kudela's] actions were deliberate and premeditated, but he was loud enough for my team-mate Bongani Zungu to hear what was said."

Kudela admitting using offensive language in a statement but claimed: "It was said in emotions, but I absolutely deny there was anything racist in those words."

Rangers boss Gerrard backed his players in the aftermath of the accusations.

"Glen Kamara to me is one of my own, like all of them in that dressing room," said Gerrard. "I 100 per cent believe him, what he's saying in terms of the accusation.

"Other players around it heard it. I will stand toe-to-toe with Glen Kamara."

Rangers had two players sent off in the ill-tempered affair, which Slavia won 2-0.

Kemar Roofe was dismissed for a horror tackle on Ondrej Kolar, which saw the Slavia goalkeeper taken off on a stretcher with nasty gashes to his face, before Leon Balogun also received his marching orders.

Roofe has since been subjected to racist abuse on Instagram.

Kamara added in his statement: "We as black players are sick of the freedom that such bigots are given to parade their hatred on social media and wonder when the likes of Instagram will start to take action."

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