Uefa expel Czech club MFK Karvina from Europa League over match-fixing
Uefa has expelled Czech Cup winners MFK Karvina from next season’s Europa League and fined the club £354,000 following their involvement in a domestic match-fixing scandal.
European football’s governing body ruled the club ineligible for failing to comply with crucial tournament admission criteria.
The decision stems from direct or indirect activities intended to influence the outcome of domestic matches.
Alongside the European ban, a fine of 10m Czech koruna has been issued, which the sanctioned side has opted not to appeal.
European qualification reshuffled
The expulsion triggers a significant reorganisation of continental competition spots for the Czech Football Association.
Viktoria Plzen are set to inherit the lucrative play-off spot originally reserved for the cup winners.
Consequently, Hradec Kralove will take over Plzen’s initial entry into the second qualifying round of the same tournament.
Jablonec will also benefit from the changes, stepping in to fill the resulting vacancy in the Conference League second qualifying round.
Wider corruption investigation
This latest European sanction follows severe domestic punishment for the disgraced outfit.
The national football association previously expelled them from the Czech top flight on 16 June.
In March, authorities launched a widespread disciplinary investigation into corruption across the top four tiers of the country’s football pyramid.
A total of 47 individuals and teams, including referees, players and club officials, are currently facing allegations regarding their involvement.