Slavia Prague defender Ondrej Kudela has been handed a provisional one-match Europa League ban by UEFA following Glen Kamara’s accusation that he was racially abused by the Czech Republic international.
The incident in question occurred during the second leg of Rangers’ Europa League clash with Slavia at Ibrox last month.
With just minutes remaining in the hotly-contested affair – in which two Gers players had already been shown a red card – football suddenly took a backseat as Kudela covered his mouth to whisper something into Kamara’s ear.
Whatever was said caused uproar, with players from both sides having to be restrained by their teammates. Kamara has since taken to social media to explain his version of events, though Slavia have continued to stand by their player.
UEFA have since launched an investigation into the matter, and they’ve now revealed that Kudela has been handed a one-game provisional Europa League ban, with further information regarding the case set to be released in due course.
“Following an investigation conducted by a UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector regarding the incidents that occurred during the 2020/21 UEFA Europa League Round of 16 second-leg match between Rangers FC and SK Slavia Praha on 18 March 2021, proceedings have been opened against Mr. Ondrej Kudela in order for the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) to assess a potential violation of Article 14(1) or Article 15(1)(a)(iv) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations (DR) and against Mr. Glen Kamara in order for the CEDB to assess a potential violation of Article 15(1)(g) DR,” the statement read.
“In accordance with Article 49 DR, the CEDB today decided to provisionally suspend Mr. Ondrej Kudela for the next (1) UEFA club competition match for which he would otherwise be eligible for the prima facie violation of Article 15(1)(a)(iv) DR, without prejudice to any ruling that the CEDB may subsequently make on the alleged violation of Article 14(1) DR.
“Further information about this case will be made available once the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body has taken a decision in due course.”
With disciplinary proceedings ongoing, Kudela could yet be handed further punishment should the investigation conclude it to be necessary.
The Slavia defender will play no part in his side’s clash with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday, though the club had already announced he would not make the trip due to illness.