Řepka may take leave of Sparta

Two teams, Gambrinus liga champion Viktoria Plzeň and FK Jablonec, staged a successful start to European competitions in mid-July with Plzeň advancing to the third preliminary round in the Champions League and FK Jablonec doing likewise in the Europa League. However, many of the country's soccer fans were focused on events off the pitch - specifically on Sparta Praha defender Tomáš Řepka.

The 37-year-old veteran has been an icon of the Prague club and of the Gambrinus liga since joining from the English Premiership's West Ham United in February 2006. However, it now seems Řepka's future is in doubt. Sparta's management decided not to field the hard-nosed defender in Sparta's preseason warm-up games, and Řepka has been stripped of the team's captaincy.

"Řepka's position is not as clear as it used to be," said Sparta coach Martin Hašek. "He'll have to fight for his spot in the lineup. There are four candidates to play as stoppers, and only two of them can play."

If any other player were engaged in a similar challenge, it would attract little attention, but the controversial Řepka has become an iconic player in the country's top-flight league, despite repeated disciplinary problems. In his professional career, Řepka has seen 19 red cards, by far the most in Czech soccer history.

Řepka, whose contract with Sparta runs until 2012, admitted he would consider leaving the team if he lacked opportunities to play in the next season.

"I don't know what my future will look like," he said.

Since returning from England, Řepka has largely only missed games because of disciplinary bans or injuries. The lone exception occurred last spring when Hašek decided to rest Řepka on the bench before a key game against Plzeň, while the league's title was at stake. Sparta lost to Plzeň, but Hašek said Řepka was the only Sparta player who did not disappoint.

Looking north

Should Řepka not play for Sparta this next season, he could move to FK Jablonec. Jablonec's sports manager Miroslav Pelta already called Řepka to tell him of the north Bohemian club's interest.

Řepka's possible move would be ironic, as last spring Řepka's controversial gestures directed against Jablonec fans earned the player a suspension and fines from both Sparta and the Czech Football Association. Řepka repeatedly raised his middle finger to the Jablonec crowd, afterward saying he was merely defending his family and that some fans were threatening to kill his son.

"I should've jumped in the stands to sort it out face to face with that guy," Řepka said.

But as events develop, Řepka admits he would consider a move to the up-and-coming Jablonec if he fails to crack the Sparta lineup.

"I'm a professional, and moving from one club to another is just a part of the job," Řepka said.

Apart from Sparta, Řepka has played with Baník Ostrava in the Gambrinus liga. He also had a four-year run with AC Fiorentina in the Italian Serie A and a five-year stint with West Ham United.

"I feel that I was born for Sparta," Řepka said in a past interview. "I'd also like to finish my professional career there one day."

František Bouc can be reached at
fbouc@praguepost.com