Ondrej Kudela provisionally suspended as Uefa open proceedings over Glen Kamara incident

Ondrej Kudela has been provisionally suspended for one match by Uefa, who have opened proceedings against the Slavia Prague defender after Glen Kamara accused the player of racially abusing him.

The decision now means the 34-year-old will miss the Europa League quarter-final first leg against Arsenal.

The incident took place during the round of 16 second leg between Rangers and Slavia Prague.

Kudela was not due to play against the Gunners anyway, pointing to health problems, but a statement from Uefa now outlines that the player is provisionally suspended over the potential violation.

The statement reads: “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. Ondřej Kúdela 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.

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“In accordance with Article 49 DR, the CEDB today decided to provisionally suspend Mr. Ondřej Kúdela 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.”

Slavia Prague had said Kudela was recovering from illness and injury, following a blow to the face suffered during a clash with Wales and Tottenham Hotspur forward Gareth Bale last week.

“He has a cold, he has virosis and a fever, and after a blow to the nose he also has inflammation,” Sparta Prague assistant coach Zdenek Houstecky told the club’s official website.

“He was under examination, but unfortunately he could not fly.

“It's a big loss for us, Kudy is a pillar and is in fantastic form. We were happy that he managed to travel to Wales, we were determined to fly him to Arsenal as well.”

As part of their investigation into the incident, Police Scotland were expected to interview Kudela when he returned to the UK.

Kamara’s lawyer, Aamer Anwar, said in a statement following the last-16 tie on March 18 that Kudela was set to be interviewed by the police if he returned to the UK.

“Glen welcomes the police investigation into the racist abuse he faced from Kudela. Police Scotland officers are now expected to question Kudela when he returns next month on the 8 April to England to play Arsenal,” he said.