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 club and player are 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 has left one slot free after naming his squad for the competition, with the expressed desire to include 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.

Kudela was handed a 10-match UEFA ban for racially abusing Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara 

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. 

Ondrej Kolar (left) has missed out on the Czech squad for Euro 2020 due to his facial injury