Football: Sparta Prague, charged by UEFA over racist abuse, also fined by Czechs

The Disciplinary Committee of the Czech Football League on Thursday fined Sparta Prague 100,000 crowns because of racist abuse in the championship match on July 24 against Sigma Olomouc, directed at Florent Poulolo.

The sanction comes on the heels of UEFA charging Sparta Prague following racist abuse from fans during the first leg of their Champions League third qualifying round game against Monaco on August 3.

The Monaco match was stopped for three minutes and Sparta fans warned about behaviour after abuse was aimed at Monaco’s Aurelien Tchouameni after his opening goal.

Sparta has since published a statement on its website: “The club strongly urges fans not to express racism in any way. Not just in upcoming home games, but every time they go to the stadium. Racism is unacceptable. In the league, during a European Cup match as well as in a friendly match.”