FORMER Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has aimed a pop at Sportscene pundit Michael Stewart on social media after the ex-Hibs and Hearts man offered his take on the Slavia Prague racism storm.
The Czech outfit faced Rangers in the last 16 of the Europa League on Thursday night, with the visitors running out 2-0 winners to book their place in the quarter-finals.
However, the match itself has been overshadowed by ugly scenes towards the end of the contest, when Gers midfielder Glen Kamara reacted furiously after Slavia's Ondrej Kudela said something discreetly to him.
After the game, Rangers boss Steven Gerrard revealed that the Finn claimed he was subjected to racist abuse, with UEFA subsequently opening an investigation into the incident.
Appearing on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast on Friday night, Stewart suggested that Kamara's accusation may not be as cut and dry as it appeared.
He said: "First of all, without trying to back away from the issues, I'm slightly uncomfortable with going full-steam ahead when we don't know definitively what's happened here.
"UEFA have to have an investigation. We're proceeding on the assumption that there was a racial incident.
"I know it's allegations but we assume that this has happened last night.
"Earlier in the season there was an incident at [Ross County's stadium] Victoria Park and after the game - first we thought it was Iain Vigurs, then we thought it was Michael Gardyne - they were being hung, drawn and quartered before we even knew what was going on.
Have a listen to Michael Stewart’s take on last nights events at Ibrox.
— Michael (@SeafarerMichael) March 19, 2021
Credit: Scottish Football Podcast.#KickItOut | #NOtoRacism pic.twitter.com/h3yl9FPC1k
READ MORE: Slavia Prague president 'terribly ashamed' by racist photo shared by fans
"And now it transpires that nothing really went on.
"It's a serious point. We have to allow the process to carry itself out before we reach the conclusion.
"If it transpires that something racial was said to Glen Kamara then 100 per cent [the Slavia player should be punished].
"It is outrageous - just as outrageous as every other discriminatory comment that's thrown out there becuase of someone being different from someone else. We don't want that.
"I'm just slightly uncomfortable and uneasy proceeding ahead when one side is saying it didn't happen and the other side is adamant that it did happen.
"We need to allow UEFA to proceed. And the difficulty is that when it's like that, how do we form a definitive answer as to what's going on?
"It does look suspicious, I've got to say, with Kudela putting his hand over his mouth.
"It does look suspicious and your instinct is to say that he's abused Glen Kamara but I'm slightly apprehensive and uneasy with proceeding ahead and concluding before we know what conclusion UEFA have come to."
Responding to the clip of Stewart, Ferdinand told Stewart: "Educate yourself.
Educate yourself @mstewart_23... comments like this are why people suffer in silence & are scared to speak out! https://t.co/bJqT1qpzzz
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) March 20, 2021
READ MORE: Steven Davis can't wait for next season as Rangers midfielder signs contract extension
"Comments like this are why people suffer in silence and are scared to speak out!"
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