BT Sport presenter Emma Dodds has made a very welcome stern remark against UEFA in response to the disciplinary outcome on the Rangers v Slavia Prague encounter.
At Ibrox last month, the Europa League clash was marred by the racial abuse aimed at Glen Kamara from Slavia’s Ondrej Kudela.
Soon after that on-pitch incident, there was the high and forceful challenge from Kemar Roofe on Slavia keeper Ondrej Kolar as he made his attempt to get to the ball first.
Following the bans and sanctions communicated from UEFA today, there has been widespread fury at the apparent disparity and the lack of a severe reprimand against the Czech player.
Dodds joined in on the condemnation.
This tweet says it all 👇🏼@UEFA once again fail to step up, handing out the minimum punishment when they had a chance to make a real example.
Players should have every right to refuse to take part in initiatives going forward #EnoughIsEnough #Notoracism https://t.co/A1MhsYqZY4
— Emma Dodds (@Sports_EmmaD) April 14, 2021
This is to be welcomed given her platform as a senior presenter/reporter on BT Sports – an official broadcast partner of UEFA.
Too often, clubs, national associations and partners do not do enough, or to speak out against the powerful lobby that is UEFA – but then who holds the governing body to account?
Action
Once again, European football’s custodian and governor has failed in its duty.
Will it take players to strike before the lip service stops and action, formidable punishment against racism is taken?
The more high profile individuals, players, managers, administrators, broadcasters the better – everyone has a part to play.