Uefa has imposed a lifetime ban from all football-related activities on Czech coach Petr Vlachovsky, who used a hidden camera to secretly film female players in their changing rooms. The ban, announced on Tuesday, follows an investigation by European football’s governing body and extends beyond Vlachovsky’s original domestic punishment.
Vlachovsky was convicted in May 2025 after filming 14 players at FC Slovacko over a four-year period. He received a suspended one-year prison sentence and a five-year domestic coaching ban, prompting the Czech players’ union to call for broader sanctions. Uefa’s control, ethics and disciplinary body has now issued a lifetime ban and written to Fifa requesting global extension.
Vlachovsky, who also previously coached the Czech under-19 women’s national side, was found in possession of child sexual abuse material. His youngest victim at Slovacko was 17. The case has raised concerns about reporting mechanisms in football.
Alex Phillips, secretary general of global players’ union Fifpro, described the case as “the tip of the iceberg” in April, noting that players are often unsure how to report concerns. Fifpro welcomed Uefa’s decision, stating: “This outcome sends a strong and necessary message that abusive and inappropriate behaviour has no place in football.”
