Czech Republic stadium pyrotechnics regulation

Following a pyrotechnics explosion in Ostrava-Vítkovice in April, police charged three men and one juvenile with public endangerment through negligence. The incident occurred near a railway station as approximately 1,000 Baník Ostrava fans gathered for a football match, resulting in several injuries, including a 20-year-old man who sustained severe facial injuries.

In response to such incidents, Czech authorities have proposed the ‘Smart Stadiums Act’. This legislation seeks to reclassify the use of pyrotechnics and face coverings at sporting events from misdemeanors to criminal offenses. The Minister of Sport intends to present the draft to Parliament in September to provide clubs with enhanced security enforcement tools.

Football fan groups nationwide have united against the proposal, arguing that criminal law should not be used to regulate specific subcultures and warning that such measures could lead to broader social repression.

On September 5, supporters of Slavia Prague and Zbrojovka Brno conducted a coordinated protest during a match at Eden Stadium. To oppose the potential criminalization of pyrotechnics, fans observed twelve minutes of silence and displayed banners such as ‘Stop kriminalizaci fanoušků’ (Stop criminalization of fans) and ‘Pyro není problém českého fotbalu’ (Pyro is not a problem of Czech football). This widespread protest against the government proposal also involved ultras from Sparta and Zlín.

During the same period, tensions escalated during the transport of Zbrojovka Brno fans via a special train. Supporters alleged that police used batons and horses to push them toward the tracks during a confrontation with Slavia Prague fans. Prague police stated the intervention was necessary because individuals ignored commands and endangered track safety. Three individuals were detained and fined. Additionally, reports indicate that Brno fans caused significant damage to the chartered Czech Railways train, with six of the nine carriages suffering broken windows, seats, lighting, and doors.