Slavia Prague fined £357,000 after derby abandoned

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ByMandeep SangheraBBC Sport journalist

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., external

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.

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• Slavia Prague to ban fans for life over derby abandonment
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With the match between Slavia and Sparta abandoned, videos on social media showed players from both teams attempting to leave the pitch as supporters carrying lit flares ran towards the Sparta section and pyrotechnics were thrown into the stands.

Sparta goalkeeper Jakub Surovcik appeared to be hit in the face by a flare thrown from close range.

Slavia said that “any disruption of the playing field or inappropriate behavior in the stadium is unacceptable”.

They added: “At the same time, we are very sorry for the impact of this decision on tens of thousands of normal and decent fans who have nothing to do with the whole situation.”

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