UEFA on Tuesday handed Ondrej Kudela of Slavia Prague a provisional one-match suspension over alleged racism, center-ruled at Arsenal outside the first leg of Thursday’s Europa League quarter-finals. Rangers midfielder Glenn Kamara accused Kudela of racial misconduct during the teams’ final-16 tie at IBROX last month. The incident of Kudela, who had already been sidelined for Arsenal’s journey through injury, is being investigated by European Football’s governing body and Police Scotland. Slavia, who won 3–1 to advance to the quarterfinals, has denied the claims, instead opting to file a criminal complaint against Kamara for allegedly attacking Kudela after the game.
UEFA said in a statement that a preliminary investigation “has opened proceedings” against Kudela, as well as Kamra, to assess any possible rule violations, suspended Kudela for Thursday’s match.
The statement concluded, “The UEFA Control, Ethics and Discipline Body has at one time provided further information about the case.”
Earlier, Slavia spokesman Michal Bicek told Czech TV that he did not expect Kudela to face Arsenal with the club, saying that Kudela had a “bruised nose” and “high fever”.
The Czech media said the player was hurt during the Czech Republic’s World Cup qualifier against Wales last week following a Gareth Bell challenge.
Slavia is also missing two other defenders, with Simon Daly contracting Kovid-19 and David Hovorka injured.
But the team is flying to London with goalkeeper Ondrej Kolar, who suffered a skull fracture after a major challenge from Rangers striker Kemar Roof in Ibrow.
If he plays, Kolar will wear a Petrake-style helmet and Kevlar mask to protect his head.
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Slavia was reluctant to travel to Cardiff to Kudela for a Czech Republic game in Wales last week over security concerns, but he eventually played.
Czech media quoted a Slavia source as saying that the club was concerned that some Rangers fans might travel to Wales for revenge.
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