Czech football mourns Rudolf Baťa

European and Czech football is mourning the loss of Rudolf Baťa, the former general secretary of the Czech and Czech Republic national associations, who has passed away at the age of 89.

Born in Zlín, and a much-respected official within the European game, he served in a number of roles for UEFA, as a member of the Finance Committee (1984-86), Control and Disciplinary Committee (1986-92), Stadia Committee (1992-2000) and Stadium and Security Committee (2000-02).

From 1978 to 1996, he was general secretary of the FAs of Czechoslovakia and, following independence, the Czech Republic.

Rudolf Baťa was awarded the UEFA Order of Merit in Ruby in 2004, and was admitted to the Czech football Hall of Fame in 2014. Formerly an international ice hockey referee, he also worked for AC Sparta Praha, where he eventually became honorary general secretary.