POSITION OF THE SLAVIA UNION OF FRIENDS ON THE RANGERS FC – SK SLAVIA PRAHA UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE MATCH

The Slavia Union of Friends represents those who continue to provide their loyal support for the club.

The Union of Friends respects the principles of fair play.

The Union of Friends categorically rejects racism.

We believe that fair play should always comprise the overriding aspect of the sporting ideal; the peaceful and enjoyable reflection of humanity in combat. Sports players should share a deep respect for their sport, their opponents and their own physical health and that of others, probably the most valuable factor in all our lives. On 18 March 2021 at Ibrox Park, Glasgow, we were sorry that our opponents clearly decided not to respect the principles of fair play; of that we are, sadly, wholly convinced.

We categorically reject all forms of human intolerance, including racism. Our club comprises talented players from all corners of the world. The team spirit of our players, which reflects the strength of the diversity of the team, ensures that our players harbour no racist ideas or sympathies. If they did, the team would not have been able to achieve the success that it enjoys today; they would not have been able to win the challenging domestic and international matches that they have won over recent years, including the match in Glasgow last Thursday.

If misunderstandings occur on the pitch between players at the end of the match, the principle of determining what really happened should not be merely „hearsay“ or conjecture. The key factor is the absence of fair play and the raising of tensions, on the one side due to the feeling of having failed in their sport and, on the other hand, to the feeling of being physically endangered.

The Slavia Union of Friends wholeheartedly supports the management of SK Slavia Prague, as do all the players. The Union of Friends rejects any expressions of contempt for others and contempt for the principles of fair play both on and off the pitch, and we are against the exacerbation of post-match tensions with the use of “cheap” and provocative language. If there are problems, let’s get together and solve the real issues not the trivialities.

In conclusion, we reject all forms of racism and feel that no excuses can be considered for ignoring the principles of personal responsibility and fair play that are so much a part of the world of sport, the abandoning of which provide material both for baseless assumptions and accusations and the ever-hungry sports media.

On behalf of SK Slavia Praha – Union of Friends,

Dr. Michael Janáček, President

Prague, 21 March 2021