The incident followed a controversial VAR review and retaken penalty that secured a 2-1 victory for SK Slavia Praha in the closing moments of the match.
Controversial Penalty Retake Decides Fortuna Arena Fixture
The match hung in the balance deep into stoppage time with the score locked at 1-1. FC Viktoria Plzeň midfielder Merchas Doski fouled Emanuel Ayaosi inside the penalty area. Referee Stanislav Volek consulted the VAR system before pointing to the spot, where former FC Viktoria Plzeň forward Tomáš Chorý stepped up to take the kick.
Slavia goalkeeper Florian Wiegele initially blocked Chorý’s shot, pushing it onto the goalpost to preserve the draw for the visiting side. However, referee Volek ordered a retake because Doski had entered the penalty area too early. Chorý converted the second attempt, securing a 2-1 win for Slavia.
Did you know?
According to match officials’ reports cited by Czech media, Matúš Kozáčik was sent off after allegedly shouting, “J*be vám, k*rva? Ste sa museli po*rať,” at the refereeing crew following the late penalty controversy.
Plzeň Coaching Staff Reactions and Disciplinary Fallout
The penalty decision sparked intense negative emotions on the Plzeň bench, culminating in the dismissal of goalkeeper coach and former Slovak national team goalkeeper Matúš Kozáčik. Viktoria Plzeň coach Radoslav Kováč defended his staff member after the final whistle.
“I was there. There was nothing aggressive or vulgar,” Kováč stated, according to post-match reports. When journalists confronted him with the official referee match report detailing the verbal abuse, Kováč added: “Things that drop in moments like this are far more. It is up to the referees how they evaluate it, but they must have a feel for the game.”
Domestic Standings Contrast Early European Success
The late defeat compounds a difficult domestic period for FC Viktoria Plzeň. Despite successfully securing qualification for the UEFA Europa League group stage, the club has struggled significantly in domestic competition, sitting down in tenth place after nine league matches.
Meanwhile, SK Slavia Praha continues to reinforce its status as the primary title favorite. Slavia leads the domestic league table with a three-point advantage over Liberec, maintaining pressure at the summit of Czech professional football.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the penalty retaken during the Slavia Praha and Viktoria Plzeň match?
Referee Stanislav Volek ordered a retake because FC Viktoria Plzeň midfielder Merchas Doski encroached into the penalty area too early before Tomáš Chorý took the original shot.
Why did Matúš Kozáčik receive a red card?
According to Czech media reviews of the official match report, the Viktoria Plzeň goalkeeper coach received a red card for using vulgar language toward the match officials.
Where does FC Viktoria Plzeň rank in the league standings?
After nine rounds of fixtures, FC Viktoria Plzeň occupies the tenth position in the league table, contrasting sharply with their qualification for the UEFA Europa League group stage.
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