Rangers' Steven Gerrard Urges UEFA Action After Racist Abuse of Glen Kamara
Sep 30, 2021
Sparta Prague's players stand while Rangers' Finnish midfielder Glen Kamara (front L) and Rangers' Croatian defender Borna Barisic take the knee prior to the start of the UEFA Europa League Group A football match between AC Sparta Praha and Rangers FC in Prague on September 30, 2021. (Photo by Michal CIZEK / AFP) (Photo by MICHAL CIZEK/AFP via Getty Images)
Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara and other Black players on the team were booed each time they were on the ball by a number of Sparta Prague's youth supporters during the Europa League match between the clubs on Thursday.
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard told reporters after the game that UEFA needs to address instances of racism more comprehensively and seriously:
During the game I haven't been aware, I've just been focused on the game and the tactical changes I was trying to think about to try and get us back into the game as we were trailing. If they're facts and that's the truth I am extremely disappointed but not surprised. What I’m saying is we need the facts. ... But if that’s the case and they were targeting Glen it's extremely disappointing because the reason there's a lot of kids in the stadium is because of previous similar incidents so of course it's extremely disappointing, if that was the case. There needs to be more done. Not just myself but everyone across the world is asking for more punishment in terms of racism, it needs to be eradicated. But until the powers that be do more and treat it more seriously—until that happens—we're going to be dealing with these questions for a long time.
Because Sparta was being punished for racist chanting during a match against Monaco earlier this season, Thursday's contest was supposed to be held without fans. But 10,000 schoolchildren were granted admission, and reportedly continued Sparta's troubling history of racist fan behavior:
Sparta Prague fans racially abused Monaco's Aurelien Tchouameni so faced a stadium closure tonight vs Rangers.
The only exception is that 10,000 local kids under 14 years are in but Glen Kamara, racially abused by Slavia’s Ondrej Kudela, is now being booed with every touch.
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#Notoracismpic.twitter.com/wcPix9XePq
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
It is not the only time Kamara has been the victim of racial abuse in the Czech Republic. Slavia Prague's Ondrej Kudela was banned for 10 games by UEFA in April for racially abusing Kamara, after he was seen shouting in the Rangers player's ear.
"UEFA should have imposed a minimum year-long ban rather than a tokenistic 10 match ban," Kamara’s lawyer, Aamer Anwar, said at the time. "Under the UEFA disciplinary regulations Kudela could have been banned for 'at least ten matches or a specified period of time,' and we firmly believe that UEFA should have made use of the significant discretion available to them, to send a far stronger message that this type of abhorrent conduct will not be tolerated on the football field."
I had hoped when I heard of the stadium closure of Sparta Prague that both Glen and other Black players wouldn't have to put up with any abuse or racism and could just get on with playing football.
But this evening should be an embarrassment for the Czech side that, despite their fans being banned, it still made little difference that the stadium was filled with 10,000 schoolchildren.
A huge proportion of those children booed Glen's every touch of the ball along with every other Black player for Rangers. Tonight shows yet again that Prague has a serious problem with racism and as usual UEFA is nowhere to be seen.
Glen and the Rangers players have shown total class, but no player should have to face this at their work and on the European stage.
It's unclear how UEFA might punish Sparta Prague for this latest example of racist fan behavior, though critics of the organizing body's response to racism in the past likely won't be pleased if UEFA chooses to simply ban fans from Sparta Prague home matches in the Europa League.
It is unclear if UEFA would consider removing the club from the competition altogether, given this second instance of racist abuse by fans in the past two months.
Steven Gerrard Signs Contract Extension at Rangers Until 2024
Dec 13, 2019
Steven Gerrard has signed a two-year contract extension at Rangers that will keep him at the club until 2024.
The Scottish club announced the news on Friday:
Steven’s backroom staff, Gary McAllister, Michael Beale, Tom Culshaw, Colin Stewart, Jordan Milsom, Mark Waller, Scott Mason and Graeme Stevenson have also renewed their contracts at the Club. pic.twitter.com/XnieNMHAou
"I'm delighted to be extending my stay at this fantastic football club.
"When [chairman] Dave King approached me about the possibility of extending my contract with Rangers, it was a very easy decision to make because I'm very happy and feel that we are building something special together at the club."
Gerrard's extension comes after his side secured a place in the first knockout round of the UEFA Europa League on Thursday:
Steven Gerrard is loving life at Rangers 🥳
He's guided the club past the group stages of a European tournament for the first time since 2006-07 👏 pic.twitter.com/GroTgyepGi
Rangers finished second in Group G behind Porto and ahead of Young Boys and Feyenoord.
They earned a 1-1 draw with Young Boys on Thursday. Alfredo Morelos gave the Scottish outfit the lead, and they held on for the point despite a late own-goal from Borna Barisic (U.S. and UK only, respectively):
Rangers will be pleased with the team's domestic progress under Gerrard, too.
He guided them to second in the Scottish Premiership last season. They finished eight points and a place higher than they had in the previous campaign, having scored six more goals and conceded 23 fewer.
This season, they're two points behind leaders Celtic after 15 matches having lost just once.
They also finished runners-up to Celtic in the Scottish League Cup final on Sunday. Rangers were unfortunate not to win it, as they dominated their rivals throughout but could not find a way past Fraser Forster, while Celtic's goal should have been disallowed for offside.
Steven Gerrard Reveals 'Positive' Talks over New Rangers Contract
Dec 11, 2019
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - DECEMBER 08: Steven Gerrard, Manager of Rangers FC (R) consoles Ryan Jack of Rangers FC following defeat in the Betfred Cup Final between Rangers FC and Celtic FC at Hampden Park on December 08, 2019 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Steven Gerrard is close to signing a new contract to extend his stay as Rangers manager, after the 39-year-old revealed talks have been continuing with the Scottish Premier League club.
Gerrard described those discussions as "pretty straightforward and positive," per BBC Sport on Wednesday. The former Liverpool midfielder also called it "a pretty simple decision" to remain in Glasgow.
Rangers approached Gerrard over a new deal "10 days ago" according to the manager, with the report stating the contract would keep Gerard around until 2024.
It makes sense for the Ibrox Stadium club to want to keep him in the dugout after Gerrard has restored Rangers' credibility as legitimate competition to the domestic dominance of city rivals Celtic.
Breaking Celtic's hold on Scottish football remains a challenge Gerrard relishes: "I'm very grateful for the opportunity to manage and lead this football club. I'm as hungry and determined to get the good days back here as I ever was."
Making good on those words and surpassing the Hoops will demand consistency from a powerful and talented squad. Gerard's ability to build this kind of group will be boosted by retaining a trio of quality veterans in goalkeeper Allan McGregor, playmaker Steven Davis and striker Jermain Defoe.
BERN, SWITZERLAND - OCTOBER 03: Steven Davis of Rangers FC looks on during the UEFA Europa League group G match between BSC Young Boys and Rangers FC at Stade de Suisse, Wankdorf on October 3, 2019 in Bern, Switzerland. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
Fortunately for Rangers, Gerrard confirmed all three are also set to receive fresh terms: "Allan McGregor and Steven Davis' deals are imminent. They're all agreed. They are two players I want around on a year extension on top of this year."
On Defoe, Gerrard outlined how the 37-year-old on loan from Bournemouth is wanted for the long haul by Rangers. BBC Sport noted how Defoe will put his signature on a pre-contract agreement in January to extend his stay at Ibrox beyond next summer.
Gerrard took over Rangers in 2018 for his first senior job in management. He finished nine points adrift of Celtic in his inaugural season and recently suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to the Old Firm rivals in the Scottish League Cup final:
However, Gerrard does have Rangers on the brink of qualifying for the last 32 in this season's UEFA Europa League. A draw at home to Young Boys on Thursday would be enough to see Rangers progress, a worthy reward for how Gerrard has improved the club's performances in European action:
Rangers' European record at Ibrox under Steven Gerrard:
It's a far cry from the financial and ownership instability Rangers endured in recent years during the club's climb up the divisions and back to the top flight following demotion to the third tier after incurring mounting debts in 2012.
Gerrard has successfully stabilised Rangers after a period of uncertainty. He's built a tough and enterprising side with the mercurial talents of striker Alfredo Morelos as the focal point and has earned the chance to oversee the next step and bring major silverware back to Rangers.
Umar Sadiq Criticises Steven Gerrard After Failed Rangers Stint, Says Wages Owed
Mar 24, 2019
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - OCTOBER 03: Umar Sadiq of Rangers is seen during a training session ahead of the UEFA Europa League Group G match between Rangers and SK Rapid Wien at Rangers Auchenhowie Training Centre on October 3, 2018 in Glasgow, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Umar Sadiq has hit out at Rangers manager Steven Gerrard following his failed loan stint at Ibrox and said the Scottish club still owe him unpaid wages after his move was cut short.
The AS Roma striker joined Rangers on a season-long loan in July 2018 but was sent back to the Stadio Olimpico in December. Sadiq—now on loan at Serie B Perugia—told The Sunday Post's Danny Stewart & Massimiliano Vitelli of his disappointment with Gerrard after falling down the team's pecking order:
"Then it was Steven Gerrard himself who convinced me. He phoned me three or four times, complimenting me and saying he'd back me to be a success. It made me feel important and convinced me to agree to the loan switch.
"At that point, I knew the club the same way football fans all over the world know Rangers – for its history and the passion of its fans.
"But when I arrived, I didn't even have any time to settle down before they brought in another striker, Kyle Lafferty. That was when the problems started, and my situation soon degenerated into a real nightmare."
The 22-year-old said it was "absurd" that he received a £20,000 fine for liking a post on Instagram, adding the club had not paid him wages for December, the month he was sent back to Roma.
Lafferty rejoined Rangers in August 2018, one month after Nigeria under-23 international Sadiq moved to Glasgow, and has since scored seven goals in 35 appearances across all competitions. Sadiq made only four appearances in five months at the club for a total of 161 minutes.
Much of Gerrard's decision-making in his first season with Rangers appears to have been positive, with the club currently second in the Scottish Premiership and still challenging Celtic for the title.
Sadiq said Liverpool legend Gerrard was "very different" from how he thought he was going to be, saying he was separated from the rest of the first-team squad:
"All of a sudden, I was told that I could not use the first-team dressing-room any more. Instead I had to go change with the kids. Then, after a few days, I was also forbidden to park my car inside the training centre.
"I felt humiliated and kept asking what was the reason for the change of attitude. But I never received any answers. Gerrard wouldn't give any explanation about it, neither to me nor my representatives."
He continued to say Gerrard "didn't even have the courage to talk to me and tell me what was happening face-to-face" when he was told his loan transfer had been terminated.
Former Bhoys striker Chris Sutton recently appeared on BT Sport Score and said he doubted whether the Merseysider could take the Scottish outfit back to the domestic throne:
"Steven Gerrard is on record as saying he is at Rangers to win trophies...
Now in Italy's second tier, Sadiq has scored twice in eight appearances for Perugia, his fifth loan move since joining Roma from Spezia in 2016.
Rangers were much stronger contenders to take Celtic's league title earlier in the campaign, but a run of four matches without a win has seen them fall off the pace. A 1-1 draw at home to Kilmarnock in their most recent outing left them eight points behind Celtic:
Sadiq concluded by saying he didn't care how Rangers do and had his own career to think about when asked for his take on Gerrard's long-term potential as a manager, though it's unlikely the pair will ever reunite.
