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UEFA Issues Lifetime Ban to Ex-Women’s Coach for Secret Filming

5/20/2026

Summary

UEFA bans Vlachovsky

UEFA banned former women’s coach Petr Vlachovsky for life after he secretly filmed players in locker rooms and showers.
A Czech court convicted him in 2025, giving a one-year suspended sentence and a five-year coaching ban.
UEFA asked FIFA to impose an international ban and urged the Czech federation to revoke his licence.
Police arrested the 42-year-old in September 2023 after covert footage surfaced; investigators found child sexual abuse material.

Summary

UEFA bans

UEFA imposed a lifetime ban on Vlachovsky, prompting Czech players’ union to demand broader sanctions and stricter penalties.
Fifpro secretary-general Alex Phillips said the case is the tip of the iceberg, welcomed the ban as a strong message, and stressed safeguarding must stay a priority.
The conviction was handed down without a public hearing, sparking a wider European-football debate on improving reporting mechanisms and strengthening safeguarding policies for women’s players.

Summary

UEFA investigates

Czech court ordered 20,000 CZK ($940) compensation for 13 players harmed by Vlachovsky’s recordings.
UEFA appointed an ethics and disciplinary inspector to investigate the misconduct allegations.
Players’ union CAFH proposed changes to the federation’s disciplinary code on sexual abuse and abuse of position.
FACR said it could not further sanction Vlachovsky because he is no longer a federation member.

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UEFA bans Vlachovsky

UEFA banned former women’s coach Petr Vlachovsky for life after he secretly filmed players in locker rooms and showers.
A Czech court convicted him in 2025, giving a one-year suspended sentence and a five-year coaching ban.
UEFA asked FIFA to impose an international ban and urged the Czech federation to revoke his licence.
Police arrested the 42-year-old in September 2023 after covert footage surfaced; investigators found child sexual abuse material.

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