Three Czech Republic national team players, Jakub Brabec, Vladimir Zoufal, and Jan Kuchta, were suspended from the squad on the grounds that they violated internal team rules before the Euro 2024 qualifying match against Moldova. The Czech national team’s press service announced the action on the social platform X, formerly known as Twitter. The statement noted that on Saturday evening the trio violated the team’s internal regulations in a manner deemed serious, leading to an immediate departure from the squad by order of the team management.
According to Sport.cz, the players were reportedly seen drinking alcohol at a club located in central Olomouc, which prompted the disciplinary measures. The suspension cast a shadow over the team as it prepared for a crucial fixture in the qualification campaign.
The upcoming match was scheduled to be played at Andrów Stadium in Olomouc on November 20, with kick-off set for 22:45 Moscow time. In the standings, the Czech Republic sat in second place in Group E with twelve points accumulated prior to the final round. Poland held third position after completing all group matches with eleven points, while Moldova trailed in fourth with ten points. Given this configuration, a draw would have sufficed for the Czechs to advance to Euro 2024, making the suspension a significant development in the race for qualification.
Formerly, Kuchta had appeared in ten matches for Lokomotiv Moscow during the 2021/2022 season, recording three goals and one assist. He is currently part of Slavia Prague, a move that highlighted his ongoing role in Czech football as the national team faced this disciplinary episode.
In related sports news, reports circulated about a Canadian national hockey player who had been detained in connection with a domestic violence incident, underscoring a broader set of discipline and conduct concerns affecting athletes across sports. This note appeared in coverage surrounding the broader topic of sportsmanship and professional conduct in the national and international arena.