Steven Gerrard has called on UEFA to prove they’re serious about racism after accusing Slavia Prague’s Ondrej Kudela of making a racist comment to Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara.
Gerrard’s side saw their Europa League hopes ended after they were beaten 2-0 by the Slavia in a bad-tempered affair at Ibrox.
Kamara was allegedly racially abused during the second half by Slavia Prague by Czech defender Ondrej Kudela.
The 33-year-old covered his mouth before saying something to the Finland international and Gerrard insisted he would support him with however he wants to deal with it.
The former Liverpool captain held talks with his opposite number Jindrich Trpisovsky after the final whistle.
The pair then spoke again at length, along with UEFA delegates, after the players had returned to their dressing rooms.
“First, I’ll deal with the football side. We were beaten by the better team over the two legs so congratulations to Slavia,” the Kop icon said after the game.
"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. Like all of them in that dressing room. I 100 percent believe what he is saying in terms of the accusation. Other players around him heard it.
“I will stand toe to toe 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.
“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.
“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."
But after the game, Slavia president Jaroslav Tvrdik took to social media stating his club deny the allegation of racial abuse.
He tweeted: "Slavia categorically opposes the fact that the player Ondrej Kudela racially insulted the players' opponents in any way."
While a Slavia statement denied the claims, it read: "Slavia resolutely denies the disgusting accusation of one of the team captains Ondrej Kudela of racist behaviour.
“Already the founders of our club gave us crest where white colour means 'the purity of the idea of sports and fair contest where the rival is not our enemy, but respected opponent.'
"Today, Slavia is an international club based on respect for our opponents and mutual respect of all people and cultures."
Kudela added: "I absolutely deny there was anything racist in those words."
