Petr Vlachovsky, a women’s soccer coach from Czechia, has received a lifetime coaching ban from UEFA after it was revealed he secretly filmed players in locker rooms and showers.
The former coach of 1. FC Slovacko was convicted last year in Czechia for filming over a dozen female players over a four-year span. He was given a one-year suspended prison sentence along with a five-year coaching ban at the domestic level.
UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body concluded that Vlachovsky’s actions constituted a breach of rules related to insulting or indecent conduct, leading to the announcement of the lifetime ban on Tuesday.
Furthermore, UEFA has requested that FIFA enforce an international ban on Vlachovsky and has called on the Czech Republic’s soccer federation to revoke his coaching credentials.
“This decision sends a clear and vital message that abusive and inappropriate behavior has no place in football, and that protecting the welfare of players must always be a priority at every level of the sport,” said FIFPRO, the global players union, in an official statement.
Vlachovsky was apprehended in 2023 after authorities uncovered the illicit footage online. He had been with 1. FC Slovacko for nearly 15 years and also held the position of coach for Czechia’s Under-19 women’s national team.
This report utilized information from The Associated Press.