Slavia Prague Fined £357,000 After Derby Abandoned

Slavia Prague have been fined 10m Czech crowns (£357,000), ordered to play four games behind closed doors and had their match against Sparta Prague forfeited after the derby had to be abandoned.

Slavia were leading 3-2 in the seventh minute of stoppage time and were closing in on clinching the Czech league title on Saturday when hundreds of home fans stormed the pitch at the Fortuna Arena.

Slavia Prague chairman Jaroslav Tvrdik had said the club would impose lifetime bans on fans who invaded the pitch for what the Czech Republic’s League Football Association (LFA) called an “absolutely unacceptable incident”.

“We accept the decision of the disciplinary committee with respect and are fully aware of the seriousness of the entire situation and the responsibility associated with organising the match,” said a Slavia statement.

Sparta, who were awarded a 3-0 win, have been fined 600,000 Czech crowns (£21,400) after their fans set off flares and damaged the stadium.

As a result of the sanctions, Slavia’s lead at the top of the table has been cut to five points over second-placed Sparta.

Slavia are next set to play on Wednesday, at home to Jablonec.