PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC – A heated exchange marred Sunday’s Czech First League derby between Slavia Prague and Sparta Prague, as a half-time incident involving Sparta forward Jan Kuchta and a member of Slavia’s coaching staff has sparked controversy. According to the match official’s report, a Slavia staff member kicked Kuchta during a confrontation in the stadium tunnel. The incident, captured on video released by Sparta Prague, has prompted accusations and denials from both clubs.
Slavia Prague secured a 3-1 victory, extending their lead at the top of the Czech First League table to ten points over their rivals. The altercation occurred after the first half, which concluded with Sparta scoring a goal in added time.
Referee Stanislav Volek documented the incident in his match report, stating, “During the half-time break, as teams were heading to the dressing rooms, a confrontation occurred involving several individuals from both teams and persons not listed on the team sheets. According to the visiting team’s representative, this was provoked by a member of the home team’s coaching staff kicking player number 10, Jan Kuchta.”
Při odchodu do kabin o poločasové přestávce včerejšího derby došlo k potyčce, při níž byl Jan Kuchta kopnut členem realizačního týmu Slavie.pic.twitter.com/zliHmxwr9A
— Sporťák (@SportakCZ) March 9, 2026
Sparta Prague swiftly released video footage of the incident, showing security personnel intervening to de-escalate the situation. “Given the scandalous behavior by a Slavia Prague physiotherapist, we have exceptionally decided to provide the public with the video capturing the entire moment,” said Sparta’s communications director, Ondřej Kasík. “We believe this behavior is completely unacceptable and immediately alerted Slavia representatives after the match.”
Jan Kuchta, 29, has a history with both Prague clubs, having come through the youth systems of both Slavia and Sparta. He previously won a league title with Slavia Prague before a stint abroad, returning to the Czech Republic with Sparta in 2022, where he has added two more league titles to his resume. He did not feature in Sunday’s match.
Slavia Prague chairman Jaroslav Tvrdík acknowledged the incident, stating, “This represents certainly behavior we do not wish to see. At the same time, we absolutely do not want spitting or vulgar insults directed at our players.”
Allegations of Insults and Spitting
The incident involves Daniel Berger, a physiotherapist with Slavia Prague, who previously worked with Kuchta during their time together at Slavia. Tvrdík offered a different perspective, claiming the kick was a reaction to Kuchta’s behavior. “I have never seen anything like this from him [Berger] in more than 10 years. It was a moment of frustration. A reaction to Kuchta spitting, swearing and insulting all our players. It wasn’t a forceful kick, more of a message: I’m ashamed of you, stop it. The guy felt bad about how he had cared for him for years and what he was doing. It was extremely unpleasant, by the way.”
However, Sparta Prague vice-chairman František Čupr vehemently refuted Tvrdík’s account. “Jaroslav Tvrdík either doesn’t have the correct information or is simply not telling the truth. These are lies,” Čupr stated. “Slavia has turned this into a war as always. Our players were insulted and attacked throughout the match. What happened in the tunnel was just the culmination of all those unpleasantries. It is completely unacceptable for someone from Slavia’s staff to physically assault our player and then try to excuse it like this. It is the lowest of the low.”
The disciplinary committee is expected to investigate the incident. Potential sanctions include fines and suspensions for both players and staff, as well as penalties related to fan behavior, including the use of pyrotechnics and offensive chants. The committee will also review reports of a chant of “smrt Spartě” (“death to Sparta”) reportedly led by Slavia defender Simon Deli before kickoff, marking the end of his playing career.
This derby, already steeped in rivalry, has now been further inflamed by these off-field events. The fallout is likely to continue in the coming days as both clubs await the disciplinary committee’s decision. The incident underscores the intense passion – and sometimes volatile emotions – that characterize the Prague derby.
Sparta Prague’s next match is against Bohemians 1905 on March 16th. Slavia Prague will face Pardubice on the same day. Both matches will be closely watched, not only for their impact on the league standings but also for any lingering effects from Sunday’s controversial events.
