Racism in football: Punish players who cover their mouths to speak to opponents, says Clarence Seedorf

Kudela (r) was banned for 10 games by Uefa
Getty Images
Tom Doyle14 April 2021

Former Netherlands international Clarence Seedorf believes players who cover their mouths to speak to opponents or referees should be punished in a bid to combat racism.

On Wednesday, Slavia Prague defender Ondrej Kudela was banned for 10 matches by Uefa after being found guilty of racist behaviour towards Rangers player Glen Kamara.

The Finn was incensed after Kudela whispered into his ear during a Europa League tie at Ibrox on March 18.

Kamara claimed Kudela called him a "f****** monkey", something Kudela denied. Kudela had covered his mouth before talking to Kamara, something that Seedorf said earlier on Wednesday should be sanctioned.

"I have seen stuff with players speaking and covering their mouth during matches," he said in an online event hosted by the Council of Europe.

"There were some racist situations in the last weeks or months where the players among themselves had hate speeches.

"Those things can be very easily attacked by implementing some rules. For me it should be abandoned to be able to speak like that when you approach an adversary.

"When we're talking about sport it has to be completely transparent, so why would I cover my mouth if I need to talk with my adversary?

"If I want to (cover my mouth to) talk to my coach or a team-mate, all fine, but when I approach the referee or another player in any sport, you are not allowed to cover your mouth, it has to be a sanction, a yellow card."

Additional reporting by PA.

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