Rangers fell 1-0 to Sparta Prague on Thursday, but the real loser was humanity. Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara — who was racially abused by a Czech player from Slavia Prague last season — was booed throughout Thursday night’s match.
These weren’t ultras booing Kamara. It was thousands of school children. Why did only children attend Sparta’s Europa league match you ask? The Prague club is serving a stadium ban from UEFA after racially abusing Monaco’s Aurelien Tchouameni in August. Sparta found a loophole to fill the stadium with 10,000 school children.
The children then jeered Kamara.
Sparta Prague got a stadium ban after its fans racially abused a Monaco player. Exception was made for 10,000 children under 14.
The kids promptly booed every touch by Glen Kamara, a Black player who was racially abused by a Slavia Prague opponent last season. https://t.co/b4zN9CcxT5— Andrew Das (@AndrewDasNYT) September 30, 2021
If I can hear the booing every time Glen Kamara touches the ball in one ear of my headphones at work while I'm having a conversation with a colleague, I'm sure the UEFA observer at the game can too. Yet more disgraceful conduct from Czech nationals.
— Andrew Dickson (@mrandrewdickson) September 30, 2021
Can't recall a more wretched sight/sound in European football lately than thousands of Czech children booing Glen Kamara's every touch for Rangers against Sparta Prague. Inside a stadium meant to be closed by UEFA because of fans' racism. Appalling.#NoToRacism #Europe
— Barry Anderson (@BarryAnderson_) September 30, 2021
Glen Kamara is being booed above and beyond any other player tonight against Sparta Prague. In a stadium full of kids. Think about that. Disgusting. #kickitout #Notoracism pic.twitter.com/wcPix9XePq
— Emma Dodds (@Sports_EmmaD) September 30, 2021
In the highlights you can hear boos each time Kamara — No. 18 for Rangers — touches the ball. If you watched the full game, then you know that this was a frequent occurrence whenever Kamara was on the ball.
Why Were The Children Booing?
The children were booing Kamara for the racist incident that took place between him and Ondrej Kudela of Slavia Prague.
‘He came over and said you’re a f***** monkey’
For the first time since the incident, Rangers’ Glen Kamara has spoken about the alleged racist abuse he was subjected to by Slavia Prague’s Oleg Kudela https://t.co/ezyQQ3nFpw pic.twitter.com/67GvPBj5WW— ITV News (@itvnews) April 7, 2021
The Czech defender was rightfully given a 10-match ban after an investigation from UEFA (Kamara received a 3-match ban for assaulting Kudela in the tunnel). Kudela’s ban included international games, causing him to miss all the Euros with the Czech Republic.
A handful of Czechs blame Kamara for Kudela’s absence at the Euros.
No one is born racist, racism is taught. Judging from how Czech fans racially abused Kamara online and with horrid banners, it’s easy to see where the school children learned to boo Kamara.
Slavia Prague fans unveil vile Glen Kamara banner as Rangers star targeted with sick racist slur pic.twitter.com/OelEX7mKGZ
— FootballAwaydays (@Awaydays23) March 20, 2021
A pair of children were seen during Thursday’s game with a poster that had “Team Kudela” written on it.
Innocent children who don't know racism.......... pic.twitter.com/1cPIVY6ePo
— JD (@JDGawa1) October 1, 2021
According to Kamara’s lawyer, Aamer Anwar, the Rangers player turned off his phone Thursday night “due to the racist bile which has not stopped.”
Latest statement from Glen Kamara’s lawyer @AamerAnwar after Sparta Prague criticised him for calling out the booing of black players last night.
He says Kamara had to switch off his phone due to the “racist bile which has not stopped” and criticises UEFA’s silence since. pic.twitter.com/2m7vdpAyI3— Jordan Campbell (@JordanC1107) October 1, 2021
What Has The Response Been?
Rangers’ manager Steven Gerrard said in an interview that Rangers will be contacting UEFA over the incident and that punishments for racist incidents aren’t severe enough.
Anwar has called UEFA a disgrace.
"Let's be blunt they're [UEFA] a disgrace.
Glen Kamara's Lawyer Aamer Anwar reacts to the incident involving the player being targeted by schoolchildren at Sparta Prague last night. pic.twitter.com/rYZujIGS6B— Football Daily (@footballdaily) October 1, 2021
Sparta has firmly denied the accusations of the school children doing any wrongdoing and claims that the young fans are the victims. Part of Sparta’s statement read, “Stop attacking our children! Our club will proudly defend our children - our future and our pride. Slandering children on the internet is extremely cowardly.”
Sparta Prague release a statement after last night’s booing of Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara.
“Stop attacking our children! Our club will proudly defend our children - our future and our pride. Slandering children on the internet is extremely cowardly” pic.twitter.com/GmesQzDHlK— Clyde 1 Superscoreboard (@ClydeSSB) October 1, 2021
Zastavte urážení našich dětí! / Stop abusing our children!
Vyjádření ACS k utkání s Rangers v Evropské lize. / ACS statement on the match against Rangers in the UEFA Europa League.➡️ https://t.co/TzTdrHutDv pic.twitter.com/wXLH9GeW3B
— AC Sparta Praha (@ACSparta_CZ) October 1, 2021
