Football: a Czech coach associates his counterpart with the Traveler community, he receives a three-month suspension for racist insults

Petr Rada, 65 ans, a dirigé la sélection tchèque en 2008-09. EPA – SERGEY DOLZHENKO

Petr Rada, 65 ans, avait entraîné la sélection tchèque en 2008-09. Ce n’était "pas du racisme", se défend-il.

The Czech Football Federation (FACR) announced on Monday the suspension for three months of former coach Petr Rada for having uttered racist insults against an opposing coach.

Petr Rada, 65, is the current coach of the D2 team Dukla Prague after having been at the head of the Czech selection in 2008-2009.

He had insulted his Zbrojovka Brno counterpart, Tomas Polach, after the match between the two teams which ended in a draw (3-3) on 2nd ;mars, associating it with the community of travelers, a minority victim of discrimination in Europe.

A fine of 3160 euros

The FACR initially imposed an eight-month suspension on Rada and a fine of 80,000 crowns (3,160 euros), double the monthly salary average in the country.

The appeal committee, contacted by the coach, on Monday reduced the suspension to three months but retained the fine. Petr Rada, who will miss the end of the season, said he was disappointed with the decision, believing that his comments were "not racism"< /em>, according to the CTK agency.