RANGERS boss Steven Gerrard was right this week. Some things are bigger than football. Fighting racism being one of them.

On Thursday evening Slavia Prague beat the Glasgow giants 2-0 (3-1 on aggregate) to knock the Scottish champions out of the Europa League.

However, the win was completely and utterly overshadowed by Slavia’s Ondrej Kudela racially abusing former Arsenal academy starlet Glen Kamara late in the game, while covering his mouth with a hand. 

No wonder the cowardly, disgusting — and simply unacceptable — act also incensed Gers players during the game upon hearing the racist abuse. 

Former Champions League winner Gerrard confirmed after the match that Kamara told him he was racially abused, with other players also having heard the comments.

In his post-match comments the dignified Gerrard pleaded with the relevant authorities, in this case, Uefa, not to sweep the charges under the carpet and to see that the punishment fits the crime.

Racism has no place in society. The only way to deal with it is through severe punishment first and foremost, and then — and only then — through rehabilitation via education. In sport as in life. 

It is not enough to issue paltry fines or a mealy-mouthed verbal sanction, heavy justice must be done in a bid to prevent such abhorrent behaviour recurring — on the field of play as much as in society itself. 

When my father first moved to this country from Iraq in the 1970s he was met with horrific racism. For the colour of his skin, for the sound of his voice, for his beliefs, the way he dressed, for what he ate. For anything that cowardly racists could think of to degrade a fellow human being. 

My father, a proud, dignified man, always told me to turn the other cheek and show you are better than the racists through the dignity of your actions. Which he did. Always. 

I will be forever proud of him for his behaviour in the face of such racism and provocation, even if I did not always adhere to his peaceable example when I too was faced with racism myself when growing up on various London council estates. Because when faced with racism I firmly believe you should fight fire with fire.

Because, nearly half a century on from my dad arriving in London from the Middle East, what exactly has changed by turning the other cheek? 

Racism is still as rife as ever, and is now also propagated on social media as much as casual and structural racism is still ingrained in society. Which is why I, as the son of a first generation immigrant to this country, believe the only way to deal with such behaviour is to fight against it in the strongest possible terms you can. 

Which, in Kudela’s particular, specific case, must mean zero tolerance by Uefa and zero excuses from the player. Followed at the minimum, by a season-long ban for the 33-year-old. Then a spell of re-education, including meeting with victims of racism and their families, either in the Czech Republic or in Glasgow, in a bid to atone for his unforgivable actions. 

But to emerge repentant and enlightened one has to first admit culpability. 

For Kudela and his club Slavia to reach catharsis there has to be an acknowledgement of guilt. Which, judging by the noises coming out of the Czech capital, does not seem likely, with all manner of pathetic finger pointing and deluded denials. 

Yes, of course, Slavia and Kudela must be allowed to state their case. But if you have a previously mild-mannered footballer in Kamara, respected by all who have met him in the game, left absolutely enraged by a racist comment, then to deny that the comment even took place is to become part of the problem.

Uefa have to act with the full force that comes with their responsibility as governing guardians of the game. Because if they don’t, if they surrender their legal — and let’s face it — moral obligations to fully punish and re-educate the dangerous Kudela, then, such horrific cases will continue to occur. 

So, it was no wonder that my first instinct when watching the Europa League draw unfold this lunchtime, upon learning Arsenal had been paired with Slavia — Kudela and all — was to hope that the Gunners crush them as brutally as they did in 2007 as retribution for their racist actions. To seek a repeat of the memorable Champions League night Arsene Wenger’s side utterly humiliated the hapless Czechs 7-0 at the Emirates.

But first, and far, far more importantly, as a matter of urgency, Uefa must act to rid the game of the reprehensible Kudela and anyone else who thinks it is acceptable to abuse someone because of the colour of their skin.

As Gerrard said, some things are bigger than football.