Slavia Prague to ban fans for life over derby abandonment

Czech First League

Slavia Prague 3 - 2 Sparta Prague FT

Slavia Prague are the reigning Czech First League champions [Getty Images]

Slavia Prague chairman Jaroslav Tvrdik says the club will impose lifetime bans on fans who invaded the pitch when they were minutes from defeating city rivals Sparta and winning the league.

They were leading 3-2 in the seventh minute of stoppage time on Saturday when hundreds of home fans stormed the pitch at the Fortuna Arena.

With the match 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.

The Czech Republic's League Football Association (LFA) has condemned the "absolutely unacceptable incident" and said its disciplinary committee will meet on Sunday.

In a statement on social media on Sunday morning, Tvrdik apologised to "Sparta Praha, the visiting fans, the referees, the football public, and all decent Slavia supporters who left the stadium yesterday with broken hearts".

"The values of Slavia are not hatred and violence. We accept responsibility and draw consequences," he said.

"What took place at the end of yesterday's derby at Fortuna Arena is the most difficult moment in the modern history of the club.

"This is not football. This is not Slavia. It is a disgrace that we all bear."

He announced the immediate closure of the stadium's North Stand - which he insisted would not reopen until all perpetrators are brought to justice - and said the club will provide "maximum co-operation" with police and other relevant authorities.

"We will hand over all camera footage, results of the evaluation by the organizing service, and identification data of ticket and season ticket holders from the North Stand," he said.

"Identified perpetrators will receive a lifetime ban from entering Fortuna Arena in accordance with the Visitor Rules.

"Slavia will at the same time demand full compensation for damages, including sanctions imposed on the club by football authorities."

Writing on social media, goalkeeper Surovcik said: "For someone to run up and threaten me to my face during the match, accompanied by an assault, is absolutely unacceptable, and I will be pursuing this through legal channels."