Sparta Prague have called on the Czech Embassy to ensure their safety at Ibrox tonight.
The last time that a Czech side played at Ibrox there was uproar with two home players sent off and Ondrej Kudela of Slavia Prague attacked in the tunnel area after the match. Glen Kamara was given a three match ban for that incident with Kemar Roofe and Leon Balogun suspended for their red cards.
Led by Marvin Bartley and an aggressive media campaign Sparta were demonised in September after beating Steven Gerrard’s side 1-0 in a Europa League tie.
The demonising of Sparta and the Czech nation has the predictable effect with a storm of poison erupting on social media.
Speaking to The Sun ahead of tonight’s match at Ibrox, Sparta communications director Ondrej Kasik revealed:
It has to be said, we are approaching this match in a much different way to our normal European away matches.
That was made clear to us just a few hours after the first game when our club’s email and social media networks were flooded with threats and disgusting content.
So we are in constant contact with Czech diplomatic representatives in Great Britain and they will help us with everything we need. Although the processes and communications that take place are standard.
The Czech police are in contact with their Scottish counterparts and we are talking directly to Rangers, it’s all much more extensive, more intense and more detailed than usual. Our job is to try to ensure the players and the management team concentrate only on the football.
After four matches Sparta and Sevco are on two points, eight behind Lyon in the battle for second place.
A win, draw or a single goal defeat while scoring will be enough for Sparta to retain second place going into their final match at home to Brondby while the Tribute Act travel to Lyon.
‘Apologise or I will take you to court’ – Czech lawyer demands retractions from Kamara’s solicitor and Marvin Bartleyhttps://t.co/R3pqG59pOf pic.twitter.com/VkmhEM3MFs
— Scottish Sun Sport (@scotsunsport) October 16, 2021
The Czech Foreign Minister has urged the Scottish Football Association to apologise for remarks made by Marvin Bartley following Rangers’ trip to Prague last week.
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 4, 2021
Hibs player Marvin Bartley threatened to ruin woman’s life – Marvin Bartley is fined for threatening to ruin th… https://t.co/WHRHD7Inis
— David Laing (@Badfeelingtoo) November 28, 2017