The Czech government has given the green light to the qualifying match between Victoria Pilsen and Tobol Kostanay for the Conference League this Thursday.
Viktoria Plzeň|Photo: Miroslav Chaloupka, CTK
The celebration of the match was in cockroach wings because three Russians and one Belarusian play in the Kazakh team. According to the rules that govern the Czech Republic, after the start of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, Russian and Belarusian athletes are not allowed to enter the country to participate in sports competitions.
As a result of these measures, Russian tennis players were unable to play in a Prague Open. But with the footballers of the Kazakh team, an exception was applied that has aroused a strong discussion between the politicians on duty and representatives of different sports institutions and the general public.
Government spokesman Václav Smolka told Czech Radio that within the framework of the Conference League, the Kazakh team has played matches in several European countries.
“The Tobol Kostanay team has played two Conference League games in Europe with all its players, including those questioned. In the event that the Government did not allow them to play in our territory, UEFA would apply disciplinary measures against Victoria Pilsen. In addition to financial losses, the prestige of Czech football at the international level would suffer.”
Tobol Kostanay|Photo: Miroslav Chaloupka, ČTK
Opposition deputy Zdeněk Kettner, from the Party for Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD), a formation opposed to the measures against Russian athletes, told Czech Television that he supported the government decision.
“I supported the decision that Russian footballers play here. I would also be in favor of Russian tennis players playing here. Tennis is an individual sport and they represent themselves and play under a neutral banner. I must admit that I don’t like it when sports and politics are mixed”.
For deputy Karel Haas, from the governmental Civic Democratic Party, the situation that has arisen responds to the rules established by the ruling party.
“The guidelines state that teams representing the Russian Federation or Belarus may not participate in sports competitions in the Czech Republic. Nor can athletes representing the aggressive regimes of the countries in question do so.
While the opposition deputy complained about the application of double standards with Russian and Belarusian athletes, depending on the sport they practice, the pro-government legislator insisted that the question of each athlete is subject to an individual evaluation. There is no difference between individual athletes and teams, the important thing is which State the athletes represent.
The Czech regulations, in response to Russian aggression against Ukraine, also applied to diva Anna Netrebko who was banned from singing in Prague in October because of her links to Vladimir Putin’s regime.
2023-08-31 13:08:21
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