Repka dropped from Czech squad

New Czech Republic coach Karel Bruckner has omitted West Ham United FC defender Tomáš Repka from the squad for two forthcoming friendlies in Cyprus because of his "disorderly ways".

Man behaving badly
National team director Vlastimil Kostal said on Monday that he had run out of patience with the 28-year-old. "I do not want to say he [Repka] will never be added to the squad. But at the moment he is not a member of the team and he cannot become one again if he continues to behave in this disorderly way." Kostal, who was announcing the group to play Hungary and Cyprus or Switzerland later this month, added that Repka's international career was now at risk.

Quit threat
Repka had insisted he did not want to play for his country again due to a lack of support from team-mates and the Football Association of the Czech Republic (CMFS) following his dismissal in the FIFA World Cup play-off defeat by Belgium. He awaits a UEFA punishment for the sending-off, his second in the campaign. Repka also missed the UEFA European Championship finals in England in 1996 after getting a red card just before the tournament.

Slovan hat-trick
Meanwhile, a trio of FC Slovan Liberec players received their first calls-ups. Goalkeeper Antonín Kinský, former Salernitana Sport midfielder Vaclav Kolousek and striker Jirí Stajner have helped Slovan reach the fourth round of the UEFA Cup. But there was no place for the Liverpool FC midfielder Patrik Berger, who had asked not to be included for fitness reasons.

Brueckner in for Chovanec
The Czechs chose Bruckner to replace Josef Chovanec who was criticised for being too soft on players. They will play Hungary in Larnaca on 12 February and Cyprus or Switzerland on 13 February.

Full squad
Cech, Kinský, Vaniak, Fukal, Ujfalusi, Grygera, Hubschman, Mares, Novotný, Jankulovski, Johana, Jarošik, Sionko, Kolousek, Nedved, Poborsky, Rošický, Šmicer, Tyce, Baroš, Koller, Lokvenc, Stajner.