Kudela to miss Euros after racism ban appeal rejected

Slavia Prague defender Ondrej Kudela will miss Euro 2020 after UEFA rejected his appeal against a 10-game ban for racially abusing Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara.

The Czech Republic international had hoped to play a part in this summer’s tournament – which will see Jaroslav Silhavy’s team take on Scotland at Hampden in their Group D opener on June 14.

But European football’s governing body has stood firm on its punishment after finding Kudela guilty of shouting a racial slur into Kamara’s ear during an explosive Europa League tie at Ibrox back in March.

“The appeal lodged by Mr Ondrej Kudela has been dismissed,” UEFA said in a statement.

“Consequently, the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body’s (CEDB) decision of 14 April 2021 is confirmed.

“The CEDB had decided to suspend Slavia Praha player, Mr Ondrej Kudela, for the next 10 UEFA club and representative team competition matches for which he would otherwise be eligible to play, for racist behaviour.”

Rangers insisted Kamara had been “vindicated” by UEFA’s original decision to ban Kudela when it was announced back in April.

But the Finland international’s lawyer Aamer Anwar accused UEFA of issuing a “token” punishment after calling for Kudela to be kicked out of football for a year.

The last-16 clash at Ibrox on March 18 exploded into controversy when Kudela allegedly called Kamara a “f****** monkey” just moments before the full-time whistle.

The claims were corroborated by Kamara’s team-mate Bongani Zungu, but Kudela insisted he was innocent, maintaining he had only said: “You f****** guy”.

Kudela has already served a one-game ban against quarter-final opponents Arsenal.

But he will now have to sit out this summer’s European Championship, which will see the Czechs take on Steve Clarke’s Scots and Croatia at Hampden before travelling to Wembley to play England.

Silhavy, whose team will be based at Scotland’s Oriam National Performance Centre on the outskirts of Edinburgh for the tournament, has been waiting for the outcome of the appeal before finalising his 26-man squad.

Speaking earlier this week, he said: “We still have hope Ondrej Kudela can play. I believe it makes sense to wait until the last possible moment to name the squad.

“I have three defenders on standby, where I will choose one if he is unavailable.”

Kamara has also been banned for three matches after being found guilty of assaulting Kudela in the tunnel after the game.

However, his suspension only covers UEFA club competitions, meaning the 25-year-old will be eligible to represent Finland at the Euros.

His Rangers team-mate Kemar Roofe also failed with an appeal against the four-match suspension he received for a horror tackle on Ondrej Kolar which left the Slavia keeper with a fractured skull.

The Rangers first team were joined by boss Steven Gerrard in a social media boycott after the incident unleashed a wave of racial abuse online.

A Police Scotland investigation into Kudela’s actions and events in the tunnel after the match is ongoing.