Prague stadium rampage triggers football crisis
On Saturday, hundreds of hardcore Slavia Prague fans stormed the pitch carrying lit flares and attacked the team and fans of Sparta, their local rivals. A 3-2 lead shortly before the final whistle would have secured the league title for their club. Instead, the match was suspended and the opponents were declared the winners. Slavia must now play four home games without spectators and pay a hefty fine.
Sponsors' reputation also damaged
Sme laments:
“All this is happening at a time when Czech football seemed to have reached a civilised level. The wealthiest Czechs have been investing in clubs. Not because they expect high profits, but rather to boost their image. Pavel Tykač, owner of Slavia Prague, is the seventh-richest Czech, active mainly in the energy sector (and not the most environmentally friendly one). Slavia – overshadowed for years by its more successful rival Sparta Prague – tried to present itself as a top European club with matches that could not only be attended by die-hard fans but also, without hesitation, by families with kids. This painstakingly constructed image crumbled within minutes.”
Facial recognition at stadiums too?
Sports Minister Boris Šťastný is pushing for the rapid introduction of facial recognition technology in stadiums, reports Hospodářské noviny:
“Currently, camera systems capable of identifying individuals even at a great distance are only permitted at Prague Airport. All other uses are prohibited under the General Data Protection Regulation. 'If personal data is stored securely, misuse is minimised and the system is used for preventive purposes, I am happy to support it,' said Minister Šťastný. 'Slavia Prague also has this technology and could deploy it immediately.' ... This would primarily help clubs to ensure that hooligans who have a criminal record are actually barred from entering the stadium.”
Reflection of an increasingly radicalised society
According to Deník N, football stadiums bring social trends into focus:
“Football reflects society and, like all other spheres, it is affected by radicalisation. This is an issue that not only affects the Czech Republic, but also the rest of the world. There was a similar incident a month ago in Germany, albeit without an attack on a player. Football has long been associated with violence, but when violent and dehumanising rhetoric resurfaces in society, it becomes particularly evident in football.”