Slavia Prague forward Václav Jurečka misses Champions League trip to Istanbul due to suspension

Source reporting: 18 October 2026. Added to ScoreTransfer on the publication date shown above.

SK Slavia Prague forward Václav Jurečka will miss the upcoming UEFA Champions League match against Fenerbahçe in Istanbul. The absence is due to a domestic suspension imposed by the club following a recent incident.

Slavia coach Jindřich Trpišovský confirmed that Jurečka would remain in Prague as punishment. This decision applies even though the player was technically eligible for European competition after receiving a red card in a domestic league match.

The disciplinary action stems from an incident during a match against Hradec Králové. Jurečka received his fourth red card in two seasons for unsporting conduct. He showed his middle finger to referee Jan Všetečka during the game.

Slavia drew 0-0 with Hradec Králové while playing with reduced numbers. The result marked two consecutive competitive matches without a goal from Jurečka. Reports describe the player's future at Slavia as uncertain following the incident.

Midfielder Pavel Kačor has returned to the squad bench after recovering from a shoulder injury. The match against Fenerbahçe is scheduled for Tuesday at 18:45 CET.

Goalkeeping coach Štěpán Kolář highlighted the demanding schedule for the team. He noted the recent travel to Zlín and Baku, followed by the trip to Turkey. Kolář expressed hope that the team has enough strength to succeed despite the fatigue.

Slavia lost 0-2 to Sabah in Baku in the second round of the Champions League. This defeat extended their wait for a main stage victory in the competition to 19 years.

Slavia have faced Fenerbahçe in European competition before. They defeated the Turkish side 3-2 in Istanbul in 2022 during the Conference League. However, they lost 1-2 at home in the Europa League two years ago.

Fenerbahçe are considered favorites for the upcoming match. This status remains despite a recent 0-6 defeat to Aston Villa. Kolář anticipates a full stadium and a lively atmosphere in Istanbul for the fixture.