“Sorry, I don’t want to upset the public anymore,” Radek Drulák told Seznam Zprávy when asked to recall the hostile climate surrounding the national team.
Czech Republic football players ripped their custom-tailored Steilmann suits to shreds on a November flight from Podgorica after securing qualification for Euro 2012. The players celebrated their hard-fought playoff victory over Montenegro by destroying their official travel wear in an uncooperative display of pent-up tension.
Team manager Vladimír Šmicer recounted the chaotic scenes aboard the aircraft.
“Once the guys started tearing their suits on the plane, there was no stopping them,” Šmicer told Seznam Zprávy, explaining that the squad attempted to bypass the airport terminal upon landing to avoid television crews.
The Czech Football Association subsequently fined the players two million crowns and ordered formal apologies. The public backlash proved severe, fueled by ongoing friction between fans and a squad that struggled to match the legacy of previous generations.
The national team entered the Euro 2012 playoffs under immense pressure following an unconvincing qualifying campaign. Fans and pundits openly criticized head coach Michal Bílek and his pragmatic tactics. Former striker Radek Drulák led the outside criticism, frequently clashing with players and staff in the media.
“It was a struggle. It took a toll on us that we didn’t have support from the fans,” said defender Tomáš Sivok, describing the hostile atmosphere.
Football association president Miroslav Pelta initially downplayed the celebratory suit destruction before issuing the two-million-crown fine. Players walked through the airport terminal with torn sleeves and missing trouser legs, drawing immediate condemnation from sports officials and media observers.
Anna Motlíková, the fashion designer responsible for outfitting the national team, expressed understanding for the players’ release of tension despite having personally fitted most of the squad. “Being on board, I bet the guys won’t do it. At least out of respect,” Motlíková told Seznam Zprávy, adding that she forgave the stunt immediately.
Šmicer admitted that the celebration crossed a line despite the overwhelming relief of qualifying. “Instead of accepting congratulations for a beautiful and hard-earned progress, I walked around with my head down and apologized on all fronts,” Šmicer told Seznam Zprávy.
The damaged suits became a defining symbol of a fractured relationship between the national team and its supporters during a turbulent era for Czech football.
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