SCANDAL

Milan Baroš, a striker for the Czech national soccer team, raised turmoil in France after he made a controversial gesture at a dark-skinned opponent, Stéphane Mbia, April 18. Baroš, who plays for Lyon, pinched his nose and waved his hand to Mbia as if he was repelling an offensive odor. Mbia, who originates from Cameroon, said he was deeply hurt by the gesture. Baroš could face a six-game suspension from the league.

Tomáš Berdych, the top Czech tennis player, advanced to the semifinals of a Masters Series tournament in Monte Carlo. Rafael Nadal of Spain, the tourney’s winner, put an end to Berdych’s bid April 21, beating the Czech in straight sets 6–0, 7–5.

The Czech women’s tennis team qualified for this September’s playoff round of the Fed Cup’s team competition. The Czech team secured its spot by beating Slovakia 5–0 in matches April 21–22 in Bratislava.

Motorcylist Lukáš Pešek maintained his third-place ranking in Moto GP’s overall standings in the 125cc category, after the series’ third race, in Istanbul April 22. Pešek motored to a sixth-place finish.

David Vála won an unexpected silver medal in the European Championship in Varna, Bulgaria, April 19. En route to the medal in the heavyweight category, Vála pinned three opponents to the mat, losing only to the ruling Olympic and world champion, Chasan Barojev of Russia.

The International Ski Federation’s (FIS) two-day inspection of the 2009 Nordic Skiing World Championship venue in Liberec ended well. FIS General Secretary Sarah Lewis said preparations in north Bohemia were progressing according to plan. The event will take place in Liberec from Feb. 18 to March 1, 2009. The overall budget is set at 750 million Kč ($36.4 million).

Soccer midfielder Jiří Jarošík’s team, Celtic Glasgow, has won Scotland’s Premier League championship. It is Jarošík’s fourth title in Scotland, following stints with Sparta Praha in the Czech league, CSKA Moscow in the Russian league and Chelsea in England’s Premiership.