Rangers have welcomed the news that Ondrej Kudela has been banned from UEFA competitions for ten games after being found guilty of racially abusing Glen Kamara, though they intend to appeal the suspensions given to two of their players following the clash at Ibrox last month.
The incident which occurred during Slavia Prague’s Europa League win over the Gers in March saw Kudela cover his mouth before whispering something into Kamara’s ear.
The Rangers man and his teammates reacted furiously to the remark and both sets of players had to be restrained as tempers boiled over again in the tunnel following the final whistle.
Despite denying the allegations made by Kamara, Kudela has now been found guilty of racially abusing the Finland international and will serve a ten-game ban from all UEFA competitions.
Pending appeal, the punishment could rule him out of the remainder of this season’s Europa League and Euro 2020 where he had been expected to represent Czech Republic.
Rangers midfielder Kamara was also slapped with a three-match ban for his reaction to the racial abuse which sparked a fracas between the two sides, while Kemar Roofe has been handed a four-game ban for his challenge which caused Ondrej Kolar to suffer a fractured skull.
Following the announcement of the ban, Rangers have taken to their official website to welcome the news of Kudela’s suspension, though they add that they intend to appeal the respective punishments handed to Kamara and Roofe.
“Rangers notes the UEFA disciplinary decision relating to our fixture vs Slavia Prague at Ibrox on 18 March,” the statement read.
“We welcome the suspension imposed on Ondrej Kudela. This not only vindicates Glen Kamara’s evidence but underlines the severity of the comment, given the number of games has been imposed by UEFA.
“Nevertheless, we believe the sanctions imposed on our two players are severe. We have written to UEFA, seeking clarification in writing on the basis that we intend to appeal the suspensions on both of players.”
With Rangers already out of this season’s Europa League following their defeat to Slavia in the last 16, Kamara’s ban could see him miss out on representing Finland at Euro 2020 this summer should his ban prove to be unsuccessful.