Czechs want tougher punishment for field invaders

Published May. 26, 2011 10:06 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Czech soccer federation has called for tougher punishment for fans who run onto the field after two recent incidents in the Czech Cup.

The federation says in a statement Thursday it will form a group to work on proposals for a law that would make it a criminal offense punishable by prison terms.

Federation chairman Ivan Hasek says, ''It's high time we deal with this phenomenon.''

The move comes a day after fans ran onto the field in Jihlava after the cup final between Mlada Boleslav and Olomouc.

On May 5, the kickoff of the cup semifinal between Slavia and Olomouc had to be postponed after more than 1,000 Slavia fans stormed the field. The match was halted after the first half due to rioting by Slavia's fans.