Bribery scandal in Czech Republic

[Ziaka]

Bribery scandal saw the light last week in the Czech soccer. According to a report in a Plzen newspaper Bohemia, several Plzen players were caught receiving monetary payments in a bar following the game between Viktoria Plzen - Banik Ostrava (1-2). It was implied that Ostrava team officials paid the Plzen players to lose tha game against the league leaders Banik Ostrava. The newspaper claimed that local police officials had a video tape of the transaction at the bar, where it was alleged that the players received around 750,000 Czech crowns (around 30,000 USD).

After several days, the local Plzen police came out saying that no such video tape exists, and that there are no basis for the allegations. Ostrava team officials are threatening legal actions against the newspaper.

Finally, the most interesting information about this story. The Plzen newspaper Bohemia is owed by the Vltava-Labe Press. Vlastimil Kostal, is part owner of the Vltava-Labe Press. Interestingly, Vlastimil Kostall is also President of Sparta Prague, the team who has slowly been losing ground in the Czech league, and it looks like they will lose a Champions League spot for next season.