Czech soccer player fined 200,000 crowns for raised arm

Pavel Horvath, Czech first soccer league Sparta Praha's midfielder, was fined 200,000 crowns today for having raised his arm in a gesture that reminded of the Nazi salute during a league 4th round match against Zizkov.

VIDEO
Pavel Horváth a jeho gesta při zápase s Viktorií Žižkov

The disciplinary commission of the Czech Football Association decided today that Horvath had discredited the good name of football.

The commission asked extremism expert Miroslav Mares for an expert opinion.
"The expert ruled out intolerance and extremism, but it is highly probable that he (Horvath) performed a part of the Nazi salute. He probably thought that he would entertain the fans, who most probably include extremism followers, and that they will be calmer," Alexander Karolyi, head of the disciplinary commission, quoted the expert opinion.

"We have identified ourselves with the opinion that Horvath, unfortunately, gave the Nazi salute. We definitely will not tolerate such manifestations in football, and that it why we decided to fine him 200,000 crowns," Karolyi said.

The upper limit for the fine is 500,000 crowns in this case.

Horvath was surprised by the fine level and would not comment on the verdict.
"I again stress that the whole gesture was unfortunate...and that it was not meant as a Nazi or racist gesture," he said.

Sparta spokesman Lukas Pribyl said the club respects the commission's verdict and that it will not appeal it.