Kretinsky’s Football Team Gets Lifeline After Violence Ruling

AC Sparta Prague, majority controlled by billionaire Daniel Kretinsky, narrowed the gap with its bitter cross-city rival atop the Czech football league following a ruling on their weekend match that turned violent and dominated headlines in the country.

The Czech Football Association’s disciplinary committee decided on Tuesday to award Sparta a forfeit win against SK Slavia Prague, cutting the latter’s lead to five points. Slavia, owned by coal billionaire Pavel Tykac, was also fined 10 million koruna ($483,000) and ordered to play four matches without the presence of spectators. Sparta was fined 600,000 koruna.