Updates: 13.06.2021 10:18
Released: 13.06.2021, 10:18
Glasgow / Prague – Goalkeeper Zdeněk Zlámal’s contract in the Heart of Midlothian team expired at the end of May, but he remained in Scotland for a few more weeks and will visit Monday’s opening match of Czech footballers at the European Championships against the home team. According to the 35-year-old goalkeeper, the case of Ondřej Kúdely still resonates in the country. When he spoke to her last time, a media hunt was held against him and the Hearts management even fined him.
Slavist Koudel received a ten-match penalty from UEFA for alleged racist insult to dark-skinned opponent Glen Kamara of Rangers in the March retaliation of the European League eighth finals in Glasgow. The 34-year-old national team defender lost his participation in the European Championship because of this.
“Here the case still resonates and is being resolved, especially with Rangers fans. I also had a bit of a problem with that, because I expressed my opinion in the Czech media. Scottish newspapers took over and interpreted it in their own way. I was fined by Hearts for the interview and I was advised to apologize, but I stand by my statement and see nothing for which I should apologize, “Zlámal said in an interview with ČTK.
He did not change his mind. “I absolutely disagree with racism and oppose any racist behavior. In the case of Kudela, however, the presumption of innocence, which is one of the main pillars of the Western world, should be respected. This is a statement against the statement,” said the experienced goalkeeper.
“No one can blame Ondra for something that only the two of them know with Kamara. Anyone could come up with any accusation. If he told him something racist, let’s give him the ultimate punishment. But there is no evidence here and I don’t know what they were judging and they gave him a ten-match distance, “Zlámal added.
He does not expect the Scots to take the duel with the Czech Republic primarily as revenge for the Finnish representative Kamar. “I don’t think most fans will take it that way, but of course there will be some individuals, probably from the Rangers, who will perceive it that way. In my opinion, Scottish players will not deal with it at all,” said Zlámal, who also caught St. Mirren and St. Johnstone.
He feels that the home team has a lot of faith in coach Jaroslav Šilhavý’s charges. “The group with England and Croatia is very difficult. If Scotland wants to think about progress, they have to beat us. We’ll see what happens, but they trust us, without debate,” the footballer thought with a single start for the national team.
He is annoyed that the national team had to cancel the camp in Edinburgh due to harsh measures taken by the Scottish authorities against the spread of coronavirus. In the case of even the only positive test for covid-19, the whole team would be in danger of being quarantined in Scotland. The Czechs therefore have a base in Prague, from where they will fly to matches.
“I quite do not understand that UEFA has not agreed on an exception with the Scottish Government. I dare say that this smells of irregularities. It is definitely an advantage for Scotland and England. I completely disagree with this, the choir in such a big tournament,” Zlámal said.
Glasgow’s nearly 2,000-strong Hampden Park stadium is expected to be about a quarter full. “Scotland will have some minor advantage, but it won’t be like a full stadium. Players are used to playing in front of empty stands all year round, so they’ll be happy for the 12,000. But even if people cheer like crazy, a full stadium won’t replace it.” Zlamal said.
He will return from Scotland to the Czech Republic in the summer, where he would like to catch the highest competition. “I’m only thinking about the first league. If there isn’t an interesting enough offer, I’ll keep football only as a hobby and focus on the family business,” admitted the former goalkeeper of Slavia, Sparta, Olomouc, Liberec, Bohemians 1905 or Zlín.
He does not deal so much with the future yet and wants to enjoy the Euro as a fan. “I have tickets to Scotland and Croatia. We have agreed with friends from the Czech Republic that they will come here, but unfortunately they could not come. So I go there with other Czech friends who live in Scotland,” Zlámal added.
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