With their hopes of qualifying for South Africa on the brink of destruction, the Czech Republic higher ups have sacked head coach Petr Rada and held up the indefinite suspensions of SIX of their Internationals due to a breach of discipline which led to Captain Tomas Ujfalusi announcing his immediate retirement from all future games.

Via BBC 

A string of bad results prompted Rada’s sacking, while a breach of discipline after last week’s defeat by Slovakia led to the player bans.

The Czechs trail leaders Northern Ireland by five points in World Cup qualifying Group Three.

They lost 2-1 at home to neighbours Slovakia on 1 April after being held to a 0-0 draw in Slovenia on 28 March, seriously denting their chances of reaching the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

The Czech Republic have eight points from six matches, with a game in hand on leaders Northern Ireland.

Former Liverpool striker Milan Baros, Martin Fenin, Vaclav Sverkos, West Ham’s Radoslav Kovac and Reading’s Marek Matejovsky were banned indefinitely, with captain Ujfalusi immediately announcing his retirement from international football.

The six players were criticised for visiting a restaurant following the defeat.

Another key Czech defender, Marek Jankulovski of AC Milan, said he is also considering retiring.

Rada last year replaced Karel Brueckner, who led them to the Euro 2004 semi-finals.

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