Uefa bans Czech coach Petr Vlachovsky for life over secret filming
Uefa has issued a lifetime ban to former Czech Republic coach Petr Vlachovsky after he was convicted of secretly filming female players in changing rooms and showers.
The 42-year-old received a suspended one-year prison sentence and a five-year domestic coaching ban last year.
Authorities arrested the disgraced manager in September 2023 after discovering his covertly recorded footage uploaded online.
Police investigations later revealed he had filmed 14 different players over a four-year period, with the youngest victim being just 17 years old.
Uefa demands global enforcement
The European governing body’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) ruled that the former 1. FC Slovacko tactician severely breached regulations regarding indecent behaviour.
The organisation confirmed the ruling permanently prohibits him from exercising any football-related activity for life.
The CEDB has formally requested that Fifa extends this lifetime suspension worldwide to prevent any future return to the sport.
Furthermore, the Football Association of the Czech Republic has been ordered to immediately revoke his official coaching licence.
Players left traumatised
Global players’ union Fifpro confirmed that victims were completely unaware they were being recorded until the perpetrator’s arrest.
The organisation stated that the covert footage was captured using a hidden camera concealed inside a backpack.
A group of the affected women recently came forward to demand stronger action, detailing the severe psychological impact of the crimes.
Victims told local media they remain terrified of sleeping at night and experience severe anxiety in public spaces.
A spectacular fall from grace
The lifetime suspension marks a shocking conclusion to a career that once saw the Czech national voted the best women’s coach in his homeland.
He previously managed the national Under-19s women’s squad and spent nearly 15 years developing talent at the top-tier domestic side.
Alongside the filming offences, authorities also found the former youth coach in possession of child sexual abuse material.