Sparta fans warned against racist behaviour

Ahead of its Champions' League tie with Arsenal on Wednesday, Sparta Prague has warned its fans that it will not tolerate racism. Both the team's captain, Tomas Repka, and coach, Michal Bilek, have spoken out against racist chants and behaviour in the national press. Sparta has said that it will up its surveillance for the match, installing more CCTVs and deploying undercover agents to infiltrate the fans. Those breaching anti-racism rules will face fines and even possible criminal prosecution. Sparta has had to pay for its fans' racist behaviour in the past. In 2005, UEFA fined the club 900 thousand CZK (45 thousand USD), when racist fans sabotaged a Champions' League fixture against Dutch club Ajax.

Author: Rosie Johnston