It has been confirmed that UEFA are set to investigate matters arising from the Sparta Prague v Rangers Europa League game last week.
During the course of the match, which the Gers lost 1-0, Glen Kamara was constantly jeered by the crowd – a 10,000 gate made up of groups of local children, accompanied by adult guardians.
That made the issue even more depressing and came after Sparta were due to have their stadium closed for one game due to racist chanting aimed at Monaco’s Aurelien Tchouameni in an earlier qualifying tie.
Kamara was targeted following the incidents last season when Rangers played Slavia Prague and their player, Ondrej Kudela was hit with a 10 game ban by UEFA for racially abusing the Finland international.
This led to a hangover into the recent clash, with Kamara made out to be some sort of pantomime villain and seemingly not a popular person in the eyes of the Czech people, so much that they would have their children to single him out for the boos.
The Czechs xame out on the attack afterwards, claiming that they were the victims of discrimination and the matter even sparked a diplomatic incident with the United Kingdom.
From PA wires: UEFA has opened an investigation into Sparta v Rangers in the Europa League last week. It says it is looking into "potential discriminatory incidents" and that "information on this matter will be made available in due course."
— Andrew Dickson (@mrandrewdickson) October 5, 2021
In terms of matters on the pitch and within the stadium, that is under UEFA’s remit.
Given that there has been no real punishment for Sparta over the initial incident, surely something has to give.
In their flurry of statements and remarks, Sparta Prague failed to mention why the children had to make up the crowd or specifically how and why they would even know to target Kamara.
The next move from European football’s governing body will be very interesting amid further calls that they are just not taking racism seriously, despite the slogans and messaging.
Actions speak louder than words.