“We are interested in the conditions in the Czech Republic corresponding to the conditions in other states that stand the same way as the Czech Republic against the Russian invasion of Ukraine,” said Transport Minister Martin Kupka (ODS) at the Wednesday cabinet meeting. Together with Minister for Regional Development Ivan Bartoš (Pirates), he represented the government at the press conference.
He was reacting to the fact that the government agreed on Tuesday to grant visas to the footballers of Kazakhstan’s Tobol Kostanaj, who will be able to play with players from Russia and Belarus in the rematch of the play-off for promotion to the European Conference League in Pilsen on Thursday.
Tobol has three Russian and one Belarusian footballer in its squad, none of whom originally flew to Prague with the team. Club co-owner Alimžan Kaldijarov said on Instagram that without them, Kostanaj might not have started the match at all.
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Due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the government banned the start of Russian and Belarusian athletes on Czech territory in June. Although Belarus did not actively participate in the war, it allowed Russia to launch attacks from its territory. According to the interpretation of the National Sports Agency, the regulation only applies to representatives of these countries.
“Sanctions must primarily affect Russia”
“Sanctions and restrictions imposed on Russian clubs or athletes must primarily affect Russia and should not have a dominant impact on Czech athletes and competitions,” explained Kupka.
According to him, the basic principle applies that Czech representatives and Czech clubs are not allowed to participate in competitions in Russia and Belarus. At the same time, representatives of Russia and Belarus and clubs based in the territory of these two countries may not participate in competitions in the Czech Republic.
“In the event that these are athletes who do not perform under the flag of Russia or Belarus, do not represent them and do not carry with them the symbols of the Russian Federation associated with the occupation of Ukraine, they will not be prohibited from participating in the competitions,” specified the Minister of Transport.
The government will discuss the matter again next time. He wants to arrive at comprehensible rules so that it is not necessary to grant exceptions in all cases.
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