PRAGUE (AP) – The Czech Republic’s players’ association has called for the sex offender to be permanently banned from soccer after a coach who secretly filmed female players was spared a one-year suspended prison sentence.
Petr Vlahovskiy was also handed a five-year domestic coaching ban by a criminal judge after his former coach was found to be a year old. For four years, FC Slovacko photographed women in changing rooms and showers.
The punishment was due to be handed down in 2025, but it came to light last month after several players made comments on local news site Seznam. The verdict was handed down without a trial and the players could not appeal.
The Czech Football Players’ Association, backed by the global players’ union FIFPRO, “demands that[the Czech Football Association]enforce a lifetime football ban against Vlahovski and all sex offenders.”
“FIFPRO is exploring possible legal avenues on behalf of the players to achieve a global ban,” the association said in a statement on Tuesday.
“As things stand, Mr Vlahovski could return to coaching in the Czech Republic by the end of 2030, but there are currently no legal restrictions preventing him from coaching abroad even before then,” FIFPRO said. “The victims did not have the opportunity to attend the trial or appeal what the players considered to be extremely light sentences.”
Added FIFPRO in a social media post: “Non-contact sexual abuse is still abuse and players must be protected.”
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