European cup final marred by ugly fan violence – with disorderly supporters brawling on the pitch and presenters hit by a CHAIR after the final whistle
The Czech Cup final was marred by ugly scenes of violence between Sparta Prague and Viktoria Plzen supporters after fans ran onto the pitch after the final whistle at the Doosan Arena.
After claiming the Czech First League championship before the final match of the season, Sparta lifted the domestic cup in the tricky 2-1 draw, completing the double for the first time in a decade.
The visitors took the lead late on through Sampson Dweh’s own goal, but despite being a man down after Pavel Sulc’s red card in the 85th minute, Plzen found their way onto the scoresheet through a late equalizer from Tomas Chory in the 87th minute.
But just four minutes later, at the start of extra time, Sparta broke the hosts’ hearts when Veljko Birmancevic scored the eventual winning goal.
According to reports in the Czech Republic, the match was marked as ‘high risk’ by local police and reinforced with strict security measures.
The aftermath of the Czech Cup final was marred as supporters from both sides rushed in
Fans fought in ugly scenes on the grass at Doosan Arena minutes after the final whistle
Police in the area had previously classified the match as ‘high risk’ and called in reinforcements
But after full-time – and the confirmation of Sparta’s impressive double – fans from both clubs took to the field.
Both Sparta and Plzen fans wore masks and hoods as they pushed their way across the pitch and began fighting each other, with footage from the night showing a photo of two fans in the red and blue of Plzen holding a beat up a traveling fan lying on the grass.
According to iSportsBeer cups were thrown into the air as police, dressed in riot gear, began surrounding the groups of disorderly supporters and lining the stands in an attempt to clear the field and see the winners announced.
“Given that the organizing body failed to prevent the fans of both teams from entering the field of play, we had to enter the field of play to restore public order, mitigate the escalation and prevent the fans of both teams from to attack. each other,” said Pavla Buresova, spokesperson for the regional police iRozhlas.
Czech television presenters were even attacked during on-pitch broadcasts, with a lawn chair used for photographers on the sidelines lobbed at the three television presenters who were forced to duck out of the way live on air.
Disorderly fans on both sides wore hoods and balaclavas in an attempt to hide their faces
Men were pulled away from the demolition site with a fan lying on the grass after being attacked
Riot police lined up the stands to protect fans – and prevent more fans from flooding onto the pitch
Photographers’ chairs, containers and tables, as well as cups, were thrown from the terraces
During the match, play was stopped a number of times due to crowd issues, with the first coming after Ladislav Krejci’s goal was disallowed for Sparta and fans threw plastic cups onto the pitch to show their disapproval.
Plzen fans set off a flare on the pitch later in the second half, bringing the match to a standstill.
After the pitch was cleared of unruly supporters, Sparta were able to carry out their trophy lift for ten minutes after referee Ondrej Berka blew the final whistle.
“I don’t want to comment too much,” Sparta’s head coach Brian Priske said after the violence subsided. ‘I think it was clear what happened.
‘I think the basis is that the players and the implementation teams feel safe. And that was not the case today after the final whistle, we did not feel safe on the field.’
One fan taunted supporters in the stadium from the pitch as flares were set off to cloud the sky
Presenters covering the match for Czech television were targeted by a flying plastic chair
The reporters tried to avoid the live missile and continue broadcasting on the field
Within ten minutes the fans were gone, but the remnants of the fight remained visible
But with victory confirmed, players could finally bask in their triumph and celebrate a dazzling end to their 2023-2024 season.
“Sparta has made all my dreams come true,” said captain Krecji after full-time. ‘It’s a nice feeling, a reward for the work we do.
‘That’s because we have our own mentality and playing style. We won’t give up and we will fight until the end.’
The two groups of fans meet again on Sunday to play the final match of the season, this time at Sparta’s Epet Arena in Prague.