Flyers' Simmonds verbally abused in Czech league

The Czech Republic's ice hockey federation says it has fined a club after its fans aimed racist chants toward Philadelphia Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds, who is playing in the top Czech league during the NHL lockout.

In a statement on Tuesday, the federation said the Chomutov Pirates were fined 30,000 koruna ($1,554) by its disciplinary committee for the chants directed toward Simmonds, who is playing for the Liberec White Tigers.

The chants were uttered during a game on Sunday.

Chomutov has apologized to Simmonds, who is black, and the club said it would do everything it can to prevent any future abuse.

Last year, a banana was thrown at Simmonds from the stands during an NHL preseason game in London, Ontario.