Former coach Petr Vlachovsky of the 1. FC Slovako Women’s team has been handed a lifetime ban by UEFA after a disturbing abuse case emerged. The sanction follows a criminal conviction for possessing child‑pornography and a series of revelations about covert recordings made in the team’s changing rooms.
Investigators uncovered that Vlachovsky installed a concealed camera in his backpack, capturing 15 players — including a 17‑year‑old — as they changed after training between 2019 and 2023. The footage was discovered during a police raid that also seized a computer containing illegal material.
The Czech criminal court sentenced him to a suspended one‑year prison term and ordered him to pay 20,000 CZK in compensation to 13 of the victims, while also imposing a five‑year domestic coaching prohibition. UEFA’s disciplinary committee cited violations of its code of conduct and the need to protect the integrity of the sport.
Calls for systemic change
FIFPRO, the global players’ union, urged FIFA to adopt a lifetime prohibition, arguing that the incident reveals a systemic failure to protect female athletes from sexual exploitation. FIFA responded that it treats misconduct allegations with the utmost seriousness and has opened a formal reporting pathway for similar cases.
The Czech players’ union, known as CAFH, announced a proposal for new statutes that would criminalise abuse of positional authority and mandate mandatory reporting of suspected misconduct. The suggested measures aim to close legal gaps that have allowed offenders to return to coaching roles.
Former international player Kristyna Janku, who has spoken publicly about the need for accountability, said that speaking out was the only way to prevent predators from returning to the sidelines. Her comments underscore a growing movement among athletes to demand transparent safeguarding policies.
The scandal has reignited debates about the adequacy of existing safeguarding frameworks across European football. Advocates argue that governing bodies must adopt zero‑tolerance policies, while also providing robust support for victims who come forward.