The Mostecký deník daily has reported that several fans of the Football Academy in the Czech town of Most have been spreading allegations that a local Romani association is benefiting unfairly from municipal financing. The civic association Aver Roma (Jiní Romové – Other Roma), which is in its second year of taking care of youth from the Chánov housing estate who have football talent, rejects the charge that the town hall is "pouring lots of money" into its work.
"This is nonsense. We don’t receive any breathtaking amounts of money. Like any other sports club, we don’t get a single crown more from the town than is needed," said Petr Bažo of Aver Roma.
The association received CZK 27 500 (EUR 1 089) in 2011, the year it started working with 80 children, to fund its activities and buy uniforms. Bažo said that was the largest subsidy it has received; it was then followed up by a completely ordinary contribution to cover travel costs.
The daily reports that the Chánov team ended up in third place in the district championship last year. They were also given the title of "most decent club". The children are permitted to play football on the condition that they meet all their school obligations.
