Czech Republic WILL call up Ondrej Kudelarif his appeal is successful

Czech Republic have not given up hope of including disgraced Slavia Prague defender Ondrej Kudela in their Euro 2020 squad.

Kudela was handed a 10-match ban by UEFA after he was found guilty of racially abusing Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara in a Europa League last-16 tie earlier this season.

The suspension applies to all UEFA competitions – including club and international matches – meaning that the 34-year-old is currently unable to represent his country next month.  

The player is in the process of appealing the ban, with proceedings set to conclude before the tournament kicks off on June 11. 

And Czech boss Jaroslav Silhavy, whose side have been drawn in Group D alongside England and Scotland, has left one slot free in his squad for the 34-year-old defender, should his appeal prove successful.  

‘We will wait for the situation around the appeal of Ondrej Kudela against the ten-match penalty to develop this week,’ he told reporters. 

‘We feel that the hope is probably low but we do not want to slam the door.

‘In any case, we have time to operate with that one place on the roster until June 1.’

Further fall-out from Slavia’s 2-0 victory against Rangers at Ibrox in March has also affected Czech selection for Euro 2020.

Silhavy has been unable to select goalkeeper Ondrej Kolar, who is still suffering with the facial injuries he sustained after Kemar Roofe’s second-half challenge.   

‘Kolar had a very difficult experience and wants to concentrate on his health,’ he added.

‘But we stand behind this team and we trust these players. I am convinced that we have put together an interesting team that can go as far as possible.’

Czech Republic begin their Euro 2020 campaign against Scotland at Hampden on June 14, before facing Croatia. Their final group game will see them take on England at Wembley.