Soccer-Slavia Prague's Kudela to miss Arsenal trip, says asst coach

Slavia Prague defender Ondrej Kudela, who is being investigated by UEFA and Police Scotland over alleged racial abuse, will not be travelling to London to play Arsenal in their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday, the club's assistant coach said.

Slavia Prague defender Ondrej Kudela, who is being investigated by UEFA and Police Scotland over alleged racial abuse, will not be travelling to London to play Arsenal in their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday, the club's assistant coach said. Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara complained of being racially abused by Kudela in their last-16 match, when the Scottish club was knocked out in the second leg, which included a melee on the pitch and clashes in the tunnel afterwards.

Kudela denied allegations of racism and his club stood by him, lodging an official complaint with the Scottish police, via the Czech Embassy in London, alleging a "physical assault" on the 34-year-old defender. "It's a big weakening for us, Kudy is a pillar who has been in fantastic form. We were glad that he managed to travel to Wales, we were determined to fly to Arsenal as well," assistant coach Zdenek Houstecky told the club's website on Tuesday.

"But he has a cold, he has virosis and fever. And after a blow to the nose, he also has inflammation. He was under examination, but unfortunately he could not fly." Wales forward Gareth Bale elbowed the player in the face while competing in an aerial duel during a World Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic last week.

Kudela did not play in Slavia Prague's goalless league draw against Zbrojovka Brno over the weekend. Houstecky said fellow centre back Simon Deli would not be travelling either, after the Ivorian returned a positive COVID-19 test.

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