Slavia Sparta Prague Derby Abandoned After Fans Storm Pitch With Slavia Leading 3-2

Hundreds of Slavia Prague home fans stormed the pitch in the closing minutes of Saturday's derby against Sparta Prague at Fortuna Stadium in Prague, forcing the referee to abandon the match with Slavia leading 3-2 and seconds away from clinching the Czech League title.

Slavia supporters breached security barriers during stoppage time and flooded the field. Some carried lit flares onto the pitch and ran toward the visiting section while pyrotechnics were thrown into the stands.

Players from both teams attempted to leave the pitch as the invasion unfolded. Czech police intervened to restore order. The authorities later launched criminal proceedings on suspicion of rioting. Authorities confirmed that Sparta goalkeeper Jakub Surovcik was struck by a flare.

“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,” Surovcik said in a statement on social media. The goalkeeper also stated he will pursue legal action. The referee called off the match.

Czech media reported that Sparta players feared for their safety and left the stadium shortly afterward on the team bus under police escort. Slavia chairman Jaroslav Tvrdik backed the decision to end the contest. “The opponent reported an attack on one or two players.

I think it is legitimate that the match was ended,” Tvrdik said. He called the incident “a disgrace”. The derby between Slavia Prague and Sparta Prague took place at Fortuna Stadium in Prague. Smoke from pyrotechnics engulfed parts of the pitch as fans invaded just before the end, according to images from the scene.

The Guardian reported the sequence of events that led to the abandonment.