Czech skipper quits

Czech Republic captain Tomas Ujfalusi has quit international football, blaming the country’s federation and the media for his decision.

Ujfalusi and his team-mates have come in for severe criticism following the Czechs’ poor performances in the World Cup qualifiers where they are fourth in Group Three, five points behind leaders Northern Ireland.

Matters came to a head last week when they lost at home to neighbours Slovakia, just days after a goalless draw against Slovenia, and the Atletico Madrid defender and others were slammed in the media after they were spotted on a night out that same evening.

The media have called for the players to be punished, something the federation will consider in a meeting they are set to have today to discuss the future of coach Petr Rada.

“Because of the current environment in the Federation and the media, I don’t want to represent the country anymore,” Ujfalusi said in a statement on the federation’s website, nv.fotbal.cz. “It’s a consequence of the last qualifying games.”

The 31-year-old has 78 caps for his country and two goals.