slavia Prague Players Boycott Match in Protest of 1989 crackdown
Prague, Czech Republic – November 17, 1989 – In a stunning display of solidarity, the players of Slavia Prague and their opponents, Rudá Hvězda Cheb (Red Star Cheb), took the unprecedented step of refusing to play a scheduled match today, november 17th, in direct response to the violent suppression of a peaceful student presentation in Prague. The decision, initiated not by football officials but by the players themselves, marked a powerful moment of protest against the Communist regime.
The planned First League fixture was cancelled after both teams, along with the referees, entered the playing area and jointly announced their refusal to compete. This act of defiance occurred on the anniversary of the International Students’ day, which had become a focal point for growing dissent within Czechoslovakia. The players’ protest underscored the widespread outrage over the brutal crackdown on demonstrators at Národní třída (National avenue) earlier in the day, an event that ignited the Velvet Revolution and ultimately led to the fall of communism in the country.
Rather of a match,a statement was delivered to the assembled crowd. Slavia captain Pavel Řehák addressed the spectators, explaining, “Dear spectators, don’t be angry, today’s match will not be played due to the situation in the Republic and the intervention on November 17 at Národní třida…” The audience responded with applause, demonstrating support for the players’ courageous stance.
The decision was spearheaded by the Friends Department of the local branch in Běla pod Bezdězem, led by Miroslav Dlouhý, who collaborated with players from both teams to formulate a unified position: there would be no game. Captains Řehák of Slavia and Jaroslav Šilhavý of Rudá Hvězda (who would soon transfer to Slavia) formally signed minutes documenting the protest.
Several players from both sides, including Zdeněk Jánoš, Milan Šimůnek, Luděk Klusáček, and František Veselý Jr. from Slavia, and Alexander Vencel, Horst siegl, and Marcel Litoš from Red Star, subsequently gave interviews to the media on the field.The match was officially “whistled” after the customary waiting period, with both teams submitting a request for a future date.
The rescheduled match was ultimately played on December 16th, with Slavia Prague winning 1-0. However, the events of November 17th remain a powerful symbol of the role athletes played in the broader struggle for freedom and democracy in Czechoslovakia.
