The European Football Union (UEFA) has made a radical and historic decision, permanently suspending Czech coach Petr Vlahovski (42) from all football activities. The reason is shocking: the former selector of the Czech women's under-19 team was found guilty of secretly filming his players while they were changing and showering.

The scandal that shocked the world lasted four years, from 2019 to 2023. Vlahovski used a hidden camera in his bag to secretly film the girls in the changing rooms before and after training and matches.

At least 15 female players fell victim to this predator, with the youngest being only 17 years old. A former player of the club, Kristina Janku, recently described the shock that came when the videos were discovered.

- We never thought such a thing could happen. When I watched the videos, I realized he knew exactly what he was doing. It wasn't accidental. He was a professional in football and in this. - said Janku.

After an ethical and disciplinary inspector's report, UEFA decided to permanently expel Vlahovski from the football map for violating basic rules of proper conduct and serious misuse of his position. Although a local criminal court in the Czech Republic previously sentenced the coach to a year of suspended sentence and a five-year ban from working in the country, UEFA deemed the only just punishment to be total expulsion from the sport.

The consequences of his painful actions are immeasurable. The victims testified in court about the gruesome traumas they still suffer from. Some said they fear sleeping at night, while others experience extreme anxiety in public places, constantly turning around in fear of being secretly filmed.

This decision by UEFA is seen as a small victory for the players who gathered the courage to speak out about the abuse, and Vlahovski will never again be allowed to step onto a football field or perform any function in the sport.

(Telegraf.rs)