Prague Slavic Defender Ondrej Kudela Suspended 10 Games For Racism, Threatened To Skip Euro 2020

Ondrej Kudela (Twitter @SeafarerMichael)

JAKARTA - UEFA on Wednesday announced a verdict punishing Prague Slavic defender Ondrej Kudela with a 10-match suspension for "racist behavior" in a Europa League round of 16 matches against Scottish club Rangers last month.

The penalty also applies to international matches, thus affecting Kudela's chances of playing for the Czech Republic national team in the final round of EURO 2020 this summer, Antara reported from Reuters.

Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara has protested that he was racially abused by Kudela in the second leg of the Europa League last-16 tie, which led to a physical altercation both on the pitch and down the aisle leading to the dressing room.

Kamara himself was also punished by UEFA with a three-match suspension, on the basis of physical assault on another player.

The incident occurred in the final period of the second leg when Kamara was visibly emotional after Kudela approached him and whispered something into his ear while covering his face.

In a statement officially delivered by Slavia, Kudela admitted delivering profanity to the Rangers player but denied allegations he used racially abusive language.

Slavia also accused Kamara of assaulting Kudela after the match and had submitted an official report to the Scottish police.

In a statement to UEFA's ruling, Kudela's suspension included a one-match ban the 34-year-old defender served in the first leg of the quarter-final against Arsenal a week ago.