Slavia Prague have issued an incredible statement on the back of their Europa League victory at Ibrox.
After drawing 1-1 in the first leg the Czech champions were second favourites to go through but dominated the match throughout despite intensive intimidation.
Peter Olayinka made the world’s greatest ever goalkeeper look foolish with a 14th minute header as Slavia made their mark in the proper way.
Substitute Kemar Roofe was red carded in the 62nd minute for sinking his studs into the face of goalkeeper Ondrej Kolar who was stretchered off after five minutes of treatment.
Leon Balogun who should have been sent off in the first half received his second yellow in the 73rd minute with Nicolae Stanciu flighting the free kick over the wall, under the bar and past Allan McGregor to seal the tie.
In the closing minutes, and afterwards it seems that chaos broke out.
Slavia Prague stated:
The club denies the allegations of racism of one of the team captains Ond?ej Kúdela.
Slavia resolutely denies the disgusting accusation of one of the team captains Ond?ej Kúdela 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.
After one of the brutal fouls, Ond?ej Kúdela spoke to one of the Rangers players. “I told him ‘You f***ing guy’. It was said in emotions, but I absolutely deny there was anything racist in those words,” Kúdela stated.
Slavia players faced an unprecedentedly malicious play from their opponents. They have never experienced such play in any game they participated in modern history of the European competitions. Many brutal tackles resulted in injuries of our players. Goalkeeper Ond?ej Kolá? was taken to hospital with ten stitches on his head.
After the end of the game, the team was not allowed to enter the dressing room. Ond?ej Kúdela was assaulted by player Kamara and hit with fists in the head when Rangers manager Steven Gerrard witnessed the incident. Even the UEFA representatives who were also present on the site of the incident were shocked by this behaviour. The team is now safe accompanied by the Scottish police.
Other than Gerrard’s post match excuses the Ibrox club haven’t made any comment.