How does the football public react to the racism of some Sparta fans?

Prague’s Sparta lost the opening match of the 3rd Champions League preliminary round 0:2, and progression over the favoured Monaco is far from certain. The bad result is even more clouded by the moment when the away team’s players basically threatened to leave for the booths. In fact, Aurélien Tchouaméni was subjected to racist abuse as the goals were celebrated. What is the reaction of the football public?

Condemnation of the act came from perhaps all football journalists. Even Plzeň forward Jean-David Beauguel has pointed out the problem several times.

The opinion of some fans who try to justify the racist behaviour by saying that the 21-year-old French youngster should not have provoked the crowd is also very popular on social media.

It is true that celebrating a goal under the home team’s boiler is not reasonable, but would a player with light skin get such a harsh reaction? And even if he did, the insults would certainly not be directed at his colour.

Either way, Sparta and its fans can pray that UEFA does not go down the route of closing the stadium for future European matches. Although it shouldn’t happen. The worst punishment could be a fine plus the closure of part of Letná.

Public reaction

Journalist Jan Vacek traditionally evaluated the positives and negatives of the match. He also pointed out the inappropriate behaviour of certain individuals.

“Sparta vs. Monaco… Again… It’s really unfortunate, I was at the stadium today and some Sparta fans (the real ones) came up to me (for a photo, etc.) in a very good mood and were friendly. Then it will happen again,” tweeted Jean-David Beauguel.

“I was looking forward to watching football today after a hard day, but the racist outburst of a small section (but obvious) of Spartan fans spoiled the experience. But the racists in question “killed” the match in the first place for their own team, who were aware of the mess that had happened. Then they weren’t themselves. Terribly sad,” commented the creator of the Podcast, Englishman Jiří Hošek.

“Yes, the “smart” guys from the cauldron, who obviously showed off after the final whistle. Something tells me that Sparta will pay for this,” wrote Czech TV editor Pavel Jahoda.

Sources: Jean-David Beauguel, Jan Vacek