PFA Scotland condemn 'sickening abuse' of Rangers star Glen Kamara during Sparta match

The union, representing professional footballers across Scotland, released a statement branding the booing of Kamara, by children and adults, throughout the match as "beyond alarming".

Kamara was booed every time he touched the ball in the stadium, filled with 10,000 school children given tickets to the match, after he was found to have been racially abused by Slavia Prague defender Ondrej Kudela in last season's Europa League match at Ibrox.

UEFA granted Sparta permission to allow local schoolchildren to attend the Group A fixture after censuring the Czech giants for the racist abuse of Monaco star Aurelien Tchouameni earlier this season.

Kamara was consistently targeted throughout the match before he was sent off for a second yellow card in the second half.

Now, PFA Scotland have condemned the abuse in 'the strongest terms'.

A statement read: "We condemn in the strongest terms the abuse Glen Kamara was subjected to last night during Rangers UEFA League match with Sparta Prague. As we all know, this is not the first time Glen has suffered sickening abuse on the pitch, but the fact that this time it came from the mouths of children through sustained booing is beyond alarming and only strengthens the call for greater sanctions from UEFA for this type of behaviour. There is no place for it in football or the modern world.

"Last night’s events in Prague, along with similar incidents in other UEFA Europa League matches, proves beyond a doubt that racism and discrimination are a global problem and a joined up approach at the highest levels, both within football and in governments across the world, is urgently needed to eradicate it.

"We are not blind to the problems within our own country, including racism, discrimination and sectarianism. In recent weeks, we have seen players across all levels of or game subjected to racist abuse from our stands – it HAS to stop. We all have a responsibility to call out all forms of this behaviour and ensure those carrying it out are dealt with through the proper legal channels."

PFA Scotland, while accepting there remains issues in Scotland, added that later this month there will be a Show the Racism the Red Card Fortnight of Action to call for the end of racism and discrimination.

The statement added: "Later this month the Show Racism the Red Card Fortnight of Action will take place across Scottish football calling for an end to racism and all forms of discrimination. Players across the country will join together and make a stand against racism and abuse. We have to ensure that the message from the Fortnight of Action and the significance of players Taking A Knee at the start of games does not get diluted through time. We must continue to educate and raise awareness of racism and discrimination on a daily basis."