Czech Premier League facing cash crisis – report

Football clubs in the Czech Republic are so cash-strapped that the country’s Premier League is sitting on a financial timebomb, according to press reports Wednesday.

Leading daily Sport pointed the finger at all clubs in the top flight but in particular 2008 and 2009 league champions Slavia Prague.

The report said the club owes its players back pay amounting to 30 million koruny (1.2 million euros) and owes 112 million koruny (4.5 million euros) to its former owner, British investment company ENIC.

The situation has become so dire that players at the capital club currently languishing in 14th place after 17 league matches are looking elsewhere.

Slavia midfielder Petr Trapp announced this week he was quitting over unpaid wages. Fed-up Tunisian pair Tijani Belaid and Hocine Ragued have also been given permission to negotiate with other clubs with a view to moving on.

In total, it is estimated that Premier League clubs officially owe 48 million koruny (1.92 million euros) in back pay to players, although Sport believes the figure could be “much higher”.