The Czech soccer federation has punished a club in its top league with a 3-0 forfeit loss, a fine and a points deduction in the standings after it refused to play its opponent.
Bohemians Prague said it refused to play at Bohemians 1905 because it claims the rival was not a proper member of the federation. Federation officials dismissed the argument Thursday.
Last-place Bohemians Prague now faces almost certain relegation. It was fined 6 million koruna ($324,000), the biggest ever in Czech soccer, and deducted 20 points by the federation's disciplinary committee Thursday for bringing the game into disrepute, breaking the federation's rules and lack of sportsmanship.
The team's chief executive, Karel Kapr, was banned from soccer for two years and fined 300,000 koruna ($16,200).
The clubs have been fighting over the right to use the Bohemians name.
Bohemians Prague caused a furor last month when its officials accused another club, Olomouc, of offering $16,200 to its players last season to lose a game. Bohemians Prague has offered no evidence, and Olomouc denied any wrongdoing. Olomouc denied any wrongdoing.
