Štítná nad Vláří and Jiskra Staré Město were forced to suspend their 5th Liga match after a serious injury to a Staré Město player, with the remaining 30 minutes to be played at a later date. The incident occurred during the second half of the contest, leaving players and officials shaken.
The match was halted after Houdek of Staré Město suffered a fractured forearm in a collision with an opposing player. According to Štítná nad Vláří manager Petr Machuča, the injury was severe. “It wasn’t a pleasant sight at all. Houdek’s arm was at a right angle, and we all wish him a speedy recovery. It was an unfortunate collision,” Machuča said.
Following the injury, players, coaches, and officials from Staré Město agreed to postpone the remainder of the match out of concern for Houdek’s well-being. A mutual agreement was reached with both the opposing team and the referee, Sucharski, to reschedule the final half-hour of play.
“No one was thinking about football at that point,” stated Jiskra Staré Město coach Roman Abrhám. The home side expressed understanding for their opponents’ decision, though they considered the possibility of a forfeit win. “We could have refused and perhaps won by default, but it once again showed that health is more important than the result, than the sport itself,” Machuča emphasized.
Prior to the stoppage, Štítná nad Vláří held a 2-1 lead, having responded to an early penalty goal from Staré Město’s Ondřej Zelený with two goals from Patrik Malaník before halftime. The match had been a closely contested affair, with Štítná nad Vláří needing points to improve their position in the league table.
The delay in the match was also due to a 25-minute wait for an ambulance to arrive on the scene. Abrhám also contacted the chairman of the Zlín Regional Football Association’s Technical Committee to discuss the possibility of ending the match. “We shouldn’t have to forfeit by default,” he believes.
Staré Město coach Abrhám was critical of the playing surface, stating, “I’m surprised such a small artificial pitch is approved for regional cup matches. I doubt there’s a smaller pitch in the region. It was just kicking, no football.”
Despite the disruption, Štítná nad Vláří had been well-prepared for the match. They were not fazed by conceding an early goal or by a muscle injury sustained by winter signing Adam Barbořík. Jan Hrnčiřík came on as a substitute and positively impacted the game. “Thanks to his determination in the box, we equalized through Malaník,” Machuča explained.
“Then Patrik added a second goal after a quick throw-in. In the second half, we wanted to be active, fearless, and press the opponent high up the pitch, which we were doing until the incident,” he added.
The match was ultimately called off due to the serious injury. The remaining 30 minutes are expected to be played on either May 1st or May 8th, though a final date is still to be determined. Machuča indicated that the match will likely be completed at the same venue, with the same teams and officials.
5th Liga, 16th Round –
TJ ŠTÍTNÁ NAD VLÁŘÍ – JISKRA STARÉ MĚSTO 2:1 (2:1) SUSPENDED
Goals: 37’, 43’ Patrik Malaník – 8’ Ondřej Zelený (penalty). Referee: Sucharski. Attendance: 110.
The incident highlights the inherent risks in football and the importance of player safety. While the outcome of the match remains uncertain, the focus now is on Houdek’s recovery and ensuring a fair conclusion to the contest when it is eventually completed. The Zlín Regional Football Association will ultimately decide the fate of the match.
The next confirmed date for Jiskra Staré Město is yet to be determined, pending the rescheduling of this match and the regular league schedule. Fans can stay updated on official announcements through the team’s website and local sports news outlets.
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