19 November 2023 , 13:15
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West Ham star Vladimir Coufal is one of three players to have been kicked out of the Czech Republic 's national team camp in disgrace.
Coufal, Jakub Brabec and Jan Kuchta have all been banished by boss Jaroslav Silhavy the day before a crucial Euro 2024 qualifier against Moldova. Silhavy's side can secure their place in next summer's tournament by avoiding defeat against the win over the visitors on Monday.
But their preparations for the key game have been rocked after the trio were booted out for "fundamentally violating" team rules. The Czech Football Association confirmed the news in a statement released on social media on Sunday afternoon.
"Three players of the national team fundamentally violated the internal rules of the national team on Saturday night. Jakub Brabec, Vladimír Coufal and Jan Kuchta left the national team meeting with immediate effect by decision of the national team management," the statement read.
The three players were supposed to be resting before the decisive clash with Moldova. But reports in Czech media claim they were instead out clubbing in Olomouc until the early hours of the morning.
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The Czech squad arrived in Olomouc on Saturday and spent the afternoon having coffee, handing out autographs and taking selfies with fans. But after returning to their hotel, Coufal, Kuchta and Brabec decided to go out partying.
Vladimir Coufal has been kicked out of the Czech national team squad (Mateusz Slodkowski/Getty Images)The trio were seen drinking alcohol as they stayed out until early in the morning. Silhavy responded by banishing all three from the squad, despite their importance to his side.
Coufal has 38 international caps and was man of the match in Friday's draw with Poland. Barbec meanwhile started at centre-back, while Kutcha was selected up-front, before being hauled off at half-time.
The Czechs need only to avoid defeat on Monday against Moldova to secure their place in Germany next summer. And boss Silhavy is confident they will be able to do enough to secure second spot in Group E.
"We believe we will take the final step on Monday and celebrate at the EURO. It is of course a surprise, the Poles were the favorites of our group. But in short, they failed to qualify. It started with our mutual match in Prague.
In the end, the Poles opened up the game a lot, we got chances. It's a shame we didn't change it, it would have been quieter. Saying that we only need a draw is not a good thing to say. The Moldovans were doing well, they took five points from Poland, so we can't think that it will be completely without problems.