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Prague Derby Abandoned After Mass Pitch Invasion as Slavia Near Title

A league panel met Sunday to signal swift sanctions that could reshape the title race.

Overview

  • The match between Slavia Prague and Sparta Prague, which reached the 97th minute Saturday with Slavia leading 3-2, was called off after hundreds of home fans stormed the pitch with lit flares.
  • Sparta goalkeeper Jakub Surovčík and teammates Jakub Martinec and Matyáš Vojta were attacked during the invasion, and Sparta left the stadium citing safety concerns.
  • Police restored order and opened a criminal investigation on suspicion of rioting after pyrotechnics were thrown and players and staff ran for cover.
  • The League Football Association’s disciplinary committee convened Sunday and said punishments could be announced Tuesday, including a forfeit, stadium closures or fines, with proceedings also opened against Sparta over pyrotechnics and damage.
  • Slavia apologized and said it would cooperate with authorities, closed its North Stand immediately with lifetime bans for perpetrators, and suspended two players who were sent off, as a possible forfeit leaves the title outcome in doubt.