A former head coach who secretly filmed women footballers in changing rooms and showers has been banned for life by European football's governing body UEFA.

Petr Vlachovsky was given a suspended one-year prison sentence and a five-year coaching ban in the Czech Republic last year after being found guilty of filming 14 players over a four-year period. His actions included filming players in the changing rooms and showers of 1. FC Slovacko, the top-tier women's team he coached for almost 15 years.

Following an investigation, UEFA's Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) found that Vlachovsky had breached regulations covering insulting and indecent behavior and brought football into disrepute. The CEDB has issued a ban "from exercising any football-related activity for life."

Vlachovsky was arrested in September 15, 2023, after police discovered the covertly filmed footage online. He was also found in possession of child sexual abuse material. The CEDB has requested that FIFA extend the ban worldwide, and the Football Association of the Czech Republic has been ordered to revoke Vlachovsky's coaching licence.

Fifpro, the global representative organization for professional footballers, reported that the players only learned of the secret filming after Vlachovsky's arrest. The youngest player filmed was 17 years old, and the footage was captured on a camera hidden in a backpack. A group of victims came forward earlier this year, stating that Vlachovsky's crimes had left them afraid to sleep at night and anxious about being in public.

Fifpro welcomed UEFA's action, saying it sends a strong message that abusive and inappropriate behavior has no place in football. Vlachovsky previously led the Czech Republic Under-19 women's team and was once voted the best women's coach in the country.

  • Football
  • Women's Football