By Nick Ware

26th Mar, 2021 | 3:40pm

Rangers captain James Tavernier sends timely message to social media companies on racism

Rangers captain James Tavernier has taken a fresh aim at the authorities after he sent another defiant public message that racism should not be tolerated.

It has now been just over a week since the abhorrent scenes at Ibrox that marred the second-leg of the Europa League clash between Gers and Slavia Prague.

Glen Kamara made allegations of racism against Ondrej Kudela that were vehemently denied by the Czech side despite ominous television footage of the Slavia defender leaning into the Finland international’s ear and whispering something.

The footballing world awaits the ruling of UEFA to see whether strong, or any, action is taken to prevent more despicable scenes of this nature from arising in the future.

For now, though, public figures are taking matters into their own hands to signal their disgust at the prevalence of racism in the world with former Arsenal great Thierry Henry the latest to voice his disdain.

He announced on his personal Twitter profile that he would be quitting social media until the authorities step up their game to combat racism with the same vigour that they pursue copyright claims.

Rangers captain Tavernier quoted Henry’s tweet and added: “Enough is Enough” before tagging Twitter and Instagram in his message.

Authorities must step up to combat deadly social disease

It is a sad indictment of the world we live in today that one of the greatest exports of the beautiful game has to resort to such drastic measures in order to highlight social injustice.

But that is the reality and the only hope is that such a chilling message from one of the most influential footballers this century will inspire change among the higher-ups.

Tavernier tagged Twitter and Instagram in his tweet and the latter was the source of disgusting racial abuse received by Light Blues forward Kemar Roofe following our Europa League exit to Slavia last week.

They have to do so, so much more.

But it is also a message to UEFA and all other giant organisations that need to step up and reevaluate their sanctions and realign their ambitions.

Their silence has been deafening in many cases over the past years and we wait with baited breath as to the outcome of Kamara’s case.

In truth, we don’t hold much hope for justice.

But we’re glad that our captain is showing fight and helping to lead the renewed battle against racial abuse in football.

In other Rangers news, our view on why Ianis Hagi should be considered for a new role in the Gers side.