UEFA has handed a lifetime ban to a women's football coach from the Czech Republic for secretly filming his players in the dressing room. The European football governing body confirmed the decision following a major misconduct investigation.
UEFA Suspends Czech Coach Petr Vlachovsky
The coach, identified as Petr Vlachovsky, was sanctioned by UEFA's Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) after an investigation into serious misconduct allegations. UEFA has called on FIFA to extend the punishment worldwide and urged the Czech Football Association to revoke his coaching licence.
Vlachovsky was found guilty of breaching regulations relating to insulting or indecent conduct and bringing football into disrepute. He previously coached 1. FC Slovácko Women and the Czech Republic women's Under-19 team.
Conviction and Sentencing
According to reports, the 42-year-old was convicted in May 2025 after admitting to secretly recording female players, including minors aged 17. A Czech court sentenced him to one year in prison, while the country's football association imposed a five-year domestic coaching ban.
Slovacko Women terminated Vlachovsky's contract after the allegations emerged and cooperated with Czech authorities throughout the investigation. The club stated that it treated the matter with the utmost seriousness and sensitivity.
Support from FIFPRO
The Football Players' Union (FIFPRO) welcomed the ban and UEFA's request for FIFA to impose an international ban on Vlachovsky. FIFPRO stated that the outcome sends a strong message that abusive behavior has no place in football and that safeguarding player wellbeing must remain a priority.
Victims of Vlachovsky's crimes came forward to demand further action, stating that his actions left them afraid to sleep at night and anxious about being in public in case they were being filmed.
