The Czech Football Association’s refereeing commission has ruled that the red card issued to Slavia Prague striker Tomáš Chorý was correct, regardless of whether the act of spitting was intentional. The decision follows a high-tension clash between Slavia and Viktoria Plzeň in the 29th round of the Chance Liga, which ended in a 0-0 draw.
In its official Monday communiqué, the commission fully endorsed the decision made by head referee Marek Radina. The ruling clarifies a critical point of the game’s laws: the physical act of spitting on an opponent constitutes a sending-off offense, even if the player’s intent to target the opponent cannot be definitively proven.
The incident occurred in the 87th minute of the match. According to the commission’s review, Chorý approached Sampson Dweh, who was lying on the ground during a break in play. Although leaning over the opponent and engaging in an aggressive verbal exchange, Chorý released a significant amount of saliva from his mouth.
SK Slavia Praha – FC Viktoria Plzeň: správně udělena červená karta v 87. Minutě utkání. pic.twitter.com/N9GGrD40fJ
— ROZHODČÍ FOTBALU (@FacrRozhodci) April 13, 2026
The Dispute Over Intent and Emotion
Slavia Prague immediately contested the decision, arguing that the incident was not a deliberate act of aggression but rather an involuntary release of saliva triggered by high emotional intensity. The club maintained that there was no provable target or intent behind the action, suggesting that the red card was an overreaction to a moment of sporting passion.
The refereeing commission acknowledged this perspective when evaluating the officials’ performance, noting that the lack of provable intent was a factor. However, they remained firm on the final verdict. The commission stated that “despite the fact that the domestic player’s intent cannot be proven, it is visible from the available footage that during an inappropriate verbal attack towards the opponent, he released a larger amount of saliva from his mouth.”
From a regulatory standpoint, the commission emphasized that it is irrelevant whether the act was a targeted “spit” or an accidental consequence of shouting in close proximity. The ruling concluded that the action fulfills the nature of a spitting offense, making the red card the only correct application of the rules.
Protest klubu proti udělení červené karty hráči Tomáši Chorému
Klub souhlasí s udělením žluté karty a zcela odsuzuje přehnaně emotivní reakci našeho hráče, k níž vůbec nemělo dojít. Stejně tak ale SK Slavia Praha důrazně odmítá, že by ze strany hráče Tomáše Chorého došlo k… pic.twitter.com/N9GkllooKh
— SK Slavia Praha (@slaviaofficial) April 13, 2026
A Pattern of Discipline
The 31-year-old forward’s disciplinary record may weigh heavily on the upcoming proceedings. This is not the first time Chorý has faced sanctions for unsporting behavior. Earlier in the season, in August, he was involved in a violent incident during a match at the Slovácko stadium, where he struck goalkeeper Milan Heča in the groin with his fist. That incident resulted in a six-match suspension.
The combination of this prior suspension and the current ruling creates a difficult situation for the national team forward. While the club’s protest focused on the lack of intent, the disciplinary committee typically views repeated instances of unsporting conduct as aggravating factors when determining the length of a ban.
Summary of Recent Disciplinary Incidents
| Date/Period | Incident | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| August (Early Season) | Physical strike against goalkeeper Milan Heča | 6-match suspension |
| April 13, 2026 | Spitting offense against Sampson Dweh | Red card / Pending LFA hearing |
Broader Refereeing Reviews
The commission’s Monday update also addressed other controversial moments from the weekend’s action, confirming the accuracy of several key decisions across the league. In a match between Pardubice and Olomouc, the commission upheld a penalty awarded by referee Karel Rouček. After a VAR review in first-half stoppage time, Rouček ruled that Olomouc’s Matěj Mikulenka fouled Simon Bammens.
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The commission noted that Bammens had played the ball first before Mikulenka kicked him in the leg, confirming the penalty was correctly awarded. This decision proved pivotal, as Pardubice equalized to 1-1 just before the break and eventually secured a 2-1 victory.
Sudí Rouček inkriminovaný okamžik dlouho zkoumal, nakonec ukázal na penaltový puntík a Pardubice záhy vyrovnaly. ????
Rozhodil se správně? ????pic.twitter.com/fnaZzucL5c
— Oneplay Sport (@oneplaySportcz) April 12, 2026
a yellow card given to Aziz Kayondo of Liberec for pushing Sebastian Boháča during a match against Karviná was deemed correct. The commission decided that the intensity of the foul was not sufficient to warrant a red card, supporting the official’s decision to keep Kayondo on the pitch in the 3-1 victory for Karviná.
These reviews are part of a standardized manual where the commission addresses up to four media-selected situations per round. In this instance, journalists selected only three key moments for public evaluation, while other incidents are reviewed internally without public comment.
The next critical step for Tomáš Chorý will occur this Thursday, when the LFA disciplinary committee will meet for its regular session. The committee will leverage the refereeing commission’s findings as a primary basis for determining the specific match suspension for the Slavia striker.
We invite you to share your thoughts on the consistency of disciplinary rules in the Chance Liga in the comments below.
