April 23 – Former Czech national team coach Petr Rada has been handed a three-month ban and fined by his federation for a racist slur against a rival.
The 65-year-old Rada (pictured), a former midfielder who led the Czech Republic national team in 2008-2009, is currently coaching Dukla Prague, Czech leaders of the second division.
During a game against Zbrojovka Brno on March 2, which ended in a 3-3 draw, Rada aimed a slur at opposition coach Tomas Polach referring to his ethnic background.
The Czech football association (FACR) originally banned Rada for eight months in March and fined him 80,000 koruna ($3,370).
On Monday, its committee for appeals reduced the ban but retained the fine as Rada had contested the original verdict.
Rada, who will now miss the end of the season, said he was disappointed by the verdict and that his words were “no racism”.
“I’ve got in trouble a few times before but this is cruel for just two words,” he told the Czech news agency CTK.
Rada’s insult is not the only racist remark that has made the headlines in Czech football in recent years.
Slavia Prague defender Ondrej Kudela had to sit out Euro 2020 after being handed a 10-game ban by UEFA for an alleged racist slur at Glasgow Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara during a Europa League game.
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