Source:REUTERS/Lee Smith
[Saba Sports News] According to British media reports, the Czech Players’ Union has called for a lifetime ban from football for sex offenders, after a coach who secretly filmed women was given only a one-year suspended sentence and avoided prison. The coach, Peter Vlahovsky, was also handed a five-year domestic coaching ban by a criminal judge, following convictions that the former Slovácko coach secretly filmed women in changing rooms and showers over a four-year period. The sentence was handed down in 2025 but only came to light last month after several players spoke out on a local news website. The case was decided without a trial, leaving the players unable to appeal. Now, backed by the global players’ union FIFPRO, the Czech Players’ Union is urging the Football Association of the Czech Republic to impose a lifetime football ban on Vlahovsky and all sex offenders, and will explore possible legal avenues to do so.
The editor believes that as things stand, Vlahovsky could return to coaching in the Czech Republic as early as the end of 2030. Until then, there are currently no legal restrictions preventing him from coaching abroad. The victims were not given the opportunity to attend a public trial, nor could they appeal against what players regard as an extremely lenient sentence.