Czech National manager Jaroslav Šilhavý has attempted to offer something of an olive branch to Rangers and Scotland by defending the officials for his nation’s world cup qualifier v Belgium, who were indeed Scottish.
The controversy between the nations has gone a little quiet of late, thankfully, with football becoming the major topic again, and the NT chief sought to defend the chosen officials as a way of thawing the ice:
“I don’t want a time when we will be afraid of the officials. They are professionals and experienced officials. The incident from Glasgow resonates here, of course, but I am convinced that the referees will manage the match and both teams will help.”
The match ended up a decent 1-1 draw for the home side, and the manager’s words may help a little to ease the tension.
There is a lot more to do though, and the alleged perpetrator, Ondrej Kudela, would do himself a world of good either answering for the accusations or just plain apologising.
But pigs may also fly.