A controversial field condition overshadowed a hard-fought 3-3 draw between FK Jablonec and FC Viktoria Plzeň in a Czech First League match on November 12th. Following the game, Plzeň’s manager Martin Hyský publicly criticized the state of the pitch at Střelnice Stadium, raising questions about player safety and adequate planning for the fixture. The dispute highlights the challenges faced by Czech clubs as winter approaches and impacts league standings.
The coach of FC Viktoria Plzeň, Martin Hyský, criticized the condition of the playing field following a 3-3 draw against FK Jablonec in a key match of the Czech First League on November 12. The state of the pitch raised concerns about player safety and fairness during the game.
The field at Střelnice Stadium was frozen and partially covered with a light layer of snow, leading Hyský to question its suitability for play. “I would like to criticize the home team for the way they prepared the pitch. I have information that the pitch heating was only turned on yesterday, which I find absolutely incomprehensible and unthinkable,” Hyský stated.
He further expressed his surprise that the issue wasn’t identified sooner. “We are in November, in Jablonec, and we find out two days before the match, or whenever, that the heating isn’t working,” he said.
Jablonec’s coach, Luboš Kozel, disputed the criticism, stating, “It was soft on Friday, we trained on it normally.” He attributed the conditions to the weather, saying, “You can’t control nature when it’s minus 14 degrees Celsius at night.”
Hyský remained unconvinced, describing the pitch as “terribly difficult, on the edge of being playable.” He added, “In the second half, we were playing on the half that was in a catastrophic or even worse state.”
He praised both teams for completing the match despite the challenging conditions. “A big thank you to the players of both teams for managing to play on this surface. I hope no one gets injured,” Hyský said. The potential for postponement was considered, but ultimately dismissed due to Plzeň’s busy schedule, which includes participation in the Europa League.
Hyský explained that he was informed a postponement until the spring was not permitted under league rules. “So there was only one option. We are playing against Freiburg now, then we have Boleslav. There is only one week between Boleslav and Slovácko where it could possibly fit,” he noted.
Despite the considerations, Hyský acknowledged the uncertainty of improved conditions. “But there is no guarantee that the pitch will be better in a week or ten days than it is today. Of course, we thought about it, it was a topic, but we decided to play,” he said.
Ultimately, Hyský believed the decision to play was the right one. “The match was of a good standard considering the condition of the pitch. I think both teams contributed to a very good quality of play,” he assessed.
Kozel agreed, stating, “The pitch wasn’t an obstacle today, the fans who weren’t here must have been entertained.”
The draw caused Plzeň to drop to sixth place in the league table, now 10 points behind the leader, Slavia Prague, and six points behind Jablonec in third place.
