Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Kamara's lawyer says UK police seeking to prosecute Kudela

Kamara's lawyer says UK police seeking to prosecute Kudela

GLEN KAMARA'S lawyer said on Thursday (15) that Police Scotland is seeking to prosecute Slavia Prague defender Ondrej Kudela for racially abusing the Rangers midfielder in a Europa League match last month.

Europe's football governing body UEFA on Wednesday (14) banned Kudela for 10 games after Kamara complained of being racially abused by the Czech defender during the second-leg of a last-16 tie where Rangers were eliminated.


"Today Police Scotland confirmed that a case against Ondrej Kudela was submitted to the Procurator Fiscal for consideration, relating to a match played between Rangers and Slavia Prague on March 18," Kamara's lawyer Aamer Anwar said in a statement.

"The police believe they have sufficiency of evidence for a criminal charge of 'racially aggravated conduct' by Kudela, towards Glen Kamara," Anwar said.

Kudela could be fined or even sentenced to up to six months in prison if found guilty, Anwar said.

Police Scotland were expected to question Kudela when he came to London to play Arsenal in the quarterfinals last week, but his club said he was not fit to travel and UEFA handed him a provisional one-match suspension hours later.

"It is disappointing that to date Mr Kudela has failed to co-operate with Police Scotland, has not attended any police interviews, and has failed to provide a full statement to Police Scotland," Anwar added.

"We would strongly urge Mr Kudela to co-operate with officers carrying out their investigations into his alleged criminal conduct."

Slavia said they were aware Police Scotland had submitted preliminary reports for consideration by the Scottish public prosecutor, including a report on the "post-match assault of Kudela by Kamara".

"It is not for Slavia or anyone else to comment on whether or not there is a sufficiency of evidence because these are matters which should be left to the police and prosecutor to determine objectively and independently," the club told Reuters.

"Mr Kudela was and still is prepared to fully cooperate with the police enquiries."

Kamara was suspended for three UEFA club competition games for assault.

Kudela's lawyer did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

While Kudela said he was "startled" by UEFA's ruling, Slavia president Jaroslav Tvrdik said the club respected the verdict and apologised to Kamara for "a situation that has clearly caused distress to him and his teammates".

More For You

Visa UK

Since April 2024, British citizens and settled residents have needed to earn at least £29,000 to apply for a partner visa. (Representational image: iStock)

Getty Images

Migration committee advises lower income threshold for UK family visas

THE UK’s independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has said the government could lower the minimum income requirement for family visas but warned that doing so would likely increase net migration by around 1 to 3 per cent.

Since April 2024, British citizens and settled residents have needed to earn at least £29,000 to apply for a partner visa.

Keep ReadingShow less
Legendary Novelist Frederick Forsyth Passes Away at 86

Forsyth’s reporting took him to politically volatile regions

Getty Images

Frederick Forsyth, master of the thriller genre, dies aged 86

Frederick Forsyth, the internationally renowned author of The Day of the Jackal, has passed away at the age of 86. His agent, Jonathan Lloyd, confirmed the news, describing Forsyth as one of the world’s greatest thriller writers.

With a career spanning more than five decades, Forsyth penned over 25 books, selling 75 million copies worldwide. His work, including The Odessa File and The Dogs of War, set the standard for espionage and political thrillers. Bill Scott-Kerr, his publisher, praised Forsyth’s influence, stating that his novels continue to define the genre and inspire modern writers.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK business district

The Canary Wharf business district including global financial institutions in London.

Getty Images

UK unemployment rises to 4.6 per cent, highest since 2021

THE UK’s unemployment rate has increased to its highest level since July 2021, according to official data released on Tuesday, following the impact of a business tax rise and the introduction of US tariffs.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the unemployment rate rose to 4.6 per cent in the three months to the end of April. This was up from 4.5 per cent in the first quarter of the year.

Keep ReadingShow less
Austria school shooting

Policemen are seen on a street close to a school where 10 people died in a school shooting, including the attacker.

Getty Images

10 killed in Austria school shooting, including suspected gunman

TEN people were killed on Tuesday after a suspected shooter opened fire in a school in Graz, southeastern Austria, according to the city’s mayor.

Mayor Elke Kahr told Austrian press agency APA that the victims included several students, at least one adult, and the suspected shooter.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer-Getty

Keir Starmer had indicated last month that he would reverse the cuts. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Government restores winter fuel benefit to 9 million pensioners after backlash

THE GOVERNMENT will reinstate winter fuel payments to millions of pensioners this year, reversing an earlier decision that had removed the benefit for most recipients in England and Wales. The move comes after months of criticism and political pressure on prime minister Keir Starmer.

After taking office in July, Starmer's Labour government had removed the winter fuel payments for all but the poorest pensioners as part of broader spending cuts.

Keep ReadingShow less