Prague – Czech football is facing scrutiny over the amount of actual playing time in matches, lagging significantly behind top European leagues. A recent analysis of over six hundred games across ten leading European competitions revealed that Czech league matches consistently feature less ball-in-play time than their counterparts, raising concerns about the pace and flow of the game.
The issue came to the forefront following a particularly disjointed match between Slavia Prague and Liberec, a crucial contest for both the league title and European qualification. Despite exceeding 100 minutes with added time, the ball was in play for just 40 minutes and 4 seconds, according to data from Opta. This statistic highlights a broader trend within the Czech league, where frequent stoppages and fouls disrupt the rhythm of play.
“It was nervous, not football. It wasn’t a nice match. There were so many fouls. Two teams with a similar tactic and high pressing collided. As soon as one team breaks through, they try to interrupt the action to allow players to get under the ball,” commented Jakub Diviš on Sport.cz’s Ťukes program, accurately capturing the nature of the contest.
Data supports Diviš’s observation. Slavia Prague and Liberec consistently rank among the teams with the lowest ball-in-play time in the league. Slavia averages 46 minutes and 36 seconds of active play, while Liberec is only slightly better. In contrast, Hradec Králové (53:06), Baník Ostrava (52:18), and Sparta Prague (51:42) lead the league in keeping the ball in motion.
Czech League Lags Behind European Standards
The low active play time in Czech football isn’t a new issue. Slavia Prague coach Jindřich Trpišovský has repeatedly voiced concerns about the amount of stoppage time in his team’s matches, and across the league as a whole. However, some argue that opponents intentionally disrupt the flow of play when facing the dominant Slavia. Regardless, the team’s aggressive and direct style of play contributes to more frequent ball-out-of-play situations.
If the Czech league aspires to compete with higher-quality competitions, improvements in precision and accurate timekeeping are essential. Sport.cz highlighted this issue earlier in the summer, and the problem persists as the season enters its final stages, meaning Czech fans receive less actual football compared to those in the top ten European leagues. Data from Opta illustrates this disparity, showing significantly lower active play times in the Czech league.
The recent match between Slavia Prague and Liberec is emblematic of the problem. Following the game, accusations flew regarding who was responsible for the chaotic nature of the contest – Slavia, Liberec, or the referee, Pechanec? responsibility is shared, and assigning blame solely to one party is an oversimplification.
Refereeing and Game Management Under Scrutiny
Libor Kovařík, head of the Czech FA’s refereeing commission, acknowledged the low active play time as a significant issue during a January appearance on Sport.cz. However, he maintained that referees have limited control, with approximately 90% of the responsibility lying with the teams themselves. “The Czech league has the most aerial duels. Logically, when the game isn’t played on the ground, there are more fouls and the ball goes out of play more often. Corners, throw-ins, and goal kicks cause the biggest delays,” Kovařík stated.
However, experts believe referee Pechanec played a larger role than the suggested 10%. Diviš noted that Pechanec’s inconsistent officiating contributed to the game’s disjointed flow. “He initially allowed borderline fouls, then changed his approach. He didn’t call obvious fouls, making it demanding for players to determine the line. It turned into a chaotic match. It’s difficult for a referee to find the right sense for a game, and Pechanec didn’t find it.” The fact that three decisions were reviewed by VAR further compounded the delays.
Kovařík has repeatedly urged referees to be less tolerant of time-wasting tactics, arguing, and unnecessary stoppages. Poor pitch conditions, particularly after the winter months, too contribute to the problem, with grounds in Hradec Králové, Jablonec, and Teplice falling short of the standards seen in more developed European leagues.
Lowest Active Play Times in the 2026 Czech League
- February 21, 2026 – Slavia Prague vs. Liberec: 40.1 minutes
- February 1, 2026 – Liberec vs. Zlín: 42.6 minutes
- February 14, 2026 – Dukla vs. Zlín: 44.3 minutes
- February 14, 2026 – Karviná vs. Slavia Prague: 45.7 minutes
- February 22, 2026 – Plzeň vs. Sparta Prague: 46.5 minutes
Interestingly, four of the five matches with the lowest active play time in the top ten European leagues this season have taken place in the Czech Republic. Perhaps most concerning, the match with the least amount of play – a November clash between Plzeň and Slavia (3-5) – saw the ball in play for only around 38 minutes. Recent matches in the Portuguese Liga Portugal, such as Casa Pia versus AFS (39:12) and Santa Clara against Estoril (40:00), also demonstrate exceptionally low active play times.
The weekend’s match in Eden only reinforced the fact that this issue isn’t going away anytime soon. Addressing this problem will require a concerted effort from players, referees, and league officials to prioritize a faster, more fluid game.
Looking ahead, the Czech league must address the factors contributing to low active play time to enhance the overall quality and appeal of the competition. Continued dialogue between the FA, referees, and clubs will be crucial in implementing effective solutions.
What are your thoughts on the issue of low active play time in Czech football? Share your opinions in the comments below.
