Ostrava, Czech Republic – Following a disappointing season that culminated in relegation from the Czech Republic’s second-tier hockey league, HC RT Torax Poruba is facing scrutiny over its financial stability. Club President Tomáš Häring has vehemently denied allegations of financial mismanagement, responding directly to a report published Friday by iSport.cz that detailed concerns about delayed player payments and internal disputes.
The iSport.cz article, titled “Opožděné výplaty, klíčová pokuta i nechtění Švédové. Jak to bylo s pádem Poruby?” (Delayed Payments, Key Penalties and Unwanted Swedes. What Happened with Poruba’s Fall?), prompted a swift response from Häring, who insists the club remains on solid financial footing. “I would like to emphasize that our club is built on stable foundations and is financially secure,” Häring stated in a press release distributed Saturday. “Throughout the history of Poruba hockey, it has never happened that we owed money to any player. Speculation that the club is facing financial problems is therefore unfounded and cannot be linked to the performances shown by the players on the ice.”
The report from iSport.cz, citing an anonymous source within the team, claimed players experienced a 20 percent reduction in their salaries due to underperformance and were offered a chance to recoup the lost wages with a win against Zlín in February. The source alleged that even after a 4-3 shootout victory, only 10 percent of the withheld amount was returned. Häring directly refuted these claims, characterizing them as inaccurate.
“This proves true that the players received an ultimatum, the non-fulfillment of which would result in a 20% deduction from their salary, and that ultimately did not happen,” Häring explained. “However, part of this agreement was likewise the possibility of receiving an additional 20% to their salary if certain goals were met, which the entire team welcomed and agreed to. We also motivated the players with further, even more significant, financial rewards for staying in the competition.”
Häring expressed his disappointment with the source of the information, stating, “It is all the more frustrating to me that this anonymous criticism is directed towards teammates and the club.”
Poruba’s relegation marks the end of an eight-year run in the second-highest Czech hockey league. The club has already begun restructuring, with Pavel Hinner stepping down as General Manager, replaced by former Czech Extraliga defenseman Jan Dresler, who has been with the club since 2019. Dresler’s primary challenge will be to guide Poruba back to the top league.
“His main challenge will be to gain Poruba where it belongs – to the Maxa liga, and as soon as possible,” Häring declared. “At the same time, I would like to restart the direction of the club with an emphasis on homegrown players, players from the region and young players, but also in terms of media image.”
The situation at Poruba echoes challenges faced by other Czech clubs in recent years. ISport.cz drew parallels to the financial difficulties experienced by Chomutov during its time in the Extraliga and the collapse of Vsetín in 2007, when the club was unable to meet its financial obligations to players and partners. However, Häring maintains that Poruba’s situation is not comparable to those past crises, asserting the club is not facing an existential threat.
The club’s immediate focus is on rebuilding for the future. Häring’s commitment to developing local talent and improving the club’s public image suggests a long-term vision for Poruba, despite the recent setback. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether the club can overcome the current challenges and return to its former competitive level.
The controversy surrounding Poruba highlights the ongoing financial pressures within Czech hockey, even at the professional levels. The league’s ability to maintain stability and attract investment will be critical to its continued success. For Poruba, the path forward requires transparency, sound financial management, and a renewed commitment to its players and community.
Next up for HC RT Torax Poruba is the preparation for the upcoming season in the First League, with a focus on player recruitment and development. The club has not yet announced a schedule for pre-season games or training camps. Fans can find the latest updates on the official HC RT Torax Poruba website: https://hcporuba.cz/
