Women players in Czechia speak out after coach avoids prison despite sexual abuse crimes

Women players at a top-division Czech club have spoken out about being victims of non-contact sexual abuse after their former coach was convicted of secretly filming them in the changing room and showers over a four-year period.

Petr Vlachovsky, who in the past led the U-19 women’s national team and was once voted best women’s coach in Czechia, was arrested in September 2023 after police discovered the covert footage online. Players of 1. FC Slovacko only learned they had been secretly filmed after the arrest. Fourteen players were filmed on Vlachovsky’s miniature camera hidden in a backpack; the youngest was 17 years old. Vlachovsky was also caught in possession of child sexual abuse material.  

Players spoke to Czech media publication Seznam Zpravy after Vlachovsky received a modest sentence for his crimes: in May 2025, without a public hearing, he was given a suspended sentence and a five-year domestic coaching ban issued by a criminal judge.

"Some of my team-mates started to worry that someone was watching them, even through the window. They had trouble sleeping, some girls were vomiting," Kristyna Janku, a Slovacko player at the time of Vlachovsky’s arrest, told Seznam Zpravy.

Alena Peckova, another former Slovacko player, told Seznam Zpravy: "Wherever I went, whether it was a public gym or another environment, a warning light would go off in my head and I would keep checking to see if there was a camera somewhere. I also started having problems with the way I saw my body. I just felt disgusted in some way."

As it stands, Vlachovsky could be back coaching in Czechia by the end of 2030, while there are no current legal restrictions stopping him from coaching abroad even before that. The victims did not have the opportunity to attend a public trial and could not file an appeal against what players view as extremely lenient sentencing.

"It's a mockery," said Janku. "We all feel the same way about it. But the investigator warned me beforehand that we shouldn't expect anything special due to Czech laws, because child pornography or sexual abuse are not classified as serious crimes."

Czech player union CAFH has been closely supporting the players since Vlachovsky’s arrest. Because the Czech criminal process and the Czech FA’s administrative proceedings are separate and can run in parallel, the union is challenging the FA to implement a lifetime football ban for Vlachovsky and all sexual offenders. The player union is also working with FIFPRO to urge FIFA to impose a global coaching ban on Vlachovsky.

FIFPRO spoke with CAFH Chairperson and FIFPRO Europe board member Marketa Vochoska Haindlova to hear how the union are pushing for tighter safeguards and stronger disciplinary action against Vlachovsky.

FIFPRO: How are the players doing and how has the union been supporting them?

Marketa Vochoska Haindlova: We are in regular contact with the players to ensure their needs are addressed properly. The recent media activity about the case has attracted more attention, so we are observant and continuing our support. We procured legal representation to represent the victims in the criminal proceedings. We offered the players the opportunity to use our mental health program and counselling for athletes, which is provided by experienced professionals.

After careful consideration and at the players’ direction, we made the entire case public. Even though the media attention created additional pressure on the players, it is also an important step to create awareness of the broader issue of abuse in sports, and work towards the prevention of this happening again.

The coach was convicted in May 2025. Why are stakeholders only speaking about this now?

The recent media coverage of the whole case helped. We approached the Czech FA with this issue and suggested we address it together, but they kept postponing due to the reorganisation of the association after the elections that took place in May.

It is critical that issues of abuse are addressed in a timely manner. Similarly to a concept of 'justice delayed is justice denied', major delay in willingness to deal with the issue sends the wrong signal to victims of abuse, as well as the entire community. 

Why wasn't the coach's punishment stricter given the seriousness of his crimes?

The sentencing corresponds with the indictment recommended by the public prosecutor. The court then merely confirmed this proposal. The sentence of one year's suspended imprisonment with a three-year deferral does not send the right signal. The five-year ban on coaching – only applicable in Czechia – is also insufficient. 

The ban from coaching is where I really believe our focus should be at, jointly with FIFPRO and other stakeholders. There must be a zero-tolerance policy here to send a clear signal that such behaviour will never be tolerated and swiftly eradicated.

It is more difficult, and it takes more time to create a legislative change in the criminal code, and it takes years to implement this change into the jurisprudence. On the contrary, a change within the Czech FA’s disciplinary code can be carried out quickly and, if implement in a timely manner, can send the right signal to both the victims and community in general, that such behaviour will end in definite punishment and will eliminate offenders from the world of football indefinitely.

Can you explain how Czech law limits victims’ ability to appeal criminal decisions?

The difference lies in whether the decision is issued in a main hearing or by means of a so-called criminal order. If the case is heard during oral proceedings before the court, it is possible for victims or their representatives to lodge an appeal. However, if the criminal order is issued, which the court can decide in cases where the guilt of the perpetrator and other circumstances of the case have already been proven beyond doubt during the preliminary proceedings, the victims cannot appeal and only the accused or the public prosecutor can file an appeal. However, neither of them did so, even though the players' legal representative requested the public prosecutor in writing to file an appeal. Unfortunately, there has been no reaction.

Will you push for stricter penalties?

Yes. Both stricter penalties and the issue of appeals against criminal orders for victims are topics we want to highlight. At the same time, amendment of the criminal code requires a legislative change and consequently a legal implementation and related jurisprudence. This generally takes years to process and implement.

As mentioned, the Czech FA’s disciplinary code amendment is much easier, provided there is willingness from the FA. Our goal is to use this case to push for an amendment that will call for a lifetime ban for all sexual offenders. A one strike policy must apply and a lifetime ban must be the only option.

What safeguards have the club and federation put in place on the back of this and do you feel they are sufficient?

As far as I know, no specific measures have been introduced in a binding form yet. This is a lesson for the club for the future, because according to its representatives, the coach was someone they had known for a long time and they absolutely did not expect such behaviour from him, but I am not sure if they have taken any specific steps. As for the Czech FA, no specific action has been taken here either, but I believe that this will change after the public pressure.

What safeguards are you recommending be put forward now to stop this from happening again?

Firstly, tightening the conditions for granting and retaining coaching licenses – especially to those who will work with children, youth, and female players – with continued education and psychological checks. Secondly, amending the Czech FA’s disciplinary regulations, where there is a complete absence of any definition of sexually motivated disciplinary offenses. Thirdly, introducing safeguarding officers at the Czech FA level to ensure the protection of potential victims across the entire organisation and a protocol for each club to prevent and act upon cases of harassment and abuse. I believe we will find agreement with them on this and that concrete steps will be taken to implement it.

What needs to happen now?

Currently, I see three areas that urgently need to be addressed in parallel. For FIFA to publish a list of sanctioned coaches for cases of sexual abuse and harassment. An amendment of Czech FA disciplinary regulations and for the Czech FA to initiate disciplinary proceedings. And thirdly, the amendment of Czech criminal law, which will tighten the penalties imposed for sexual offenses and at the same time enshrine the possibility for the victim to appeal against a criminal order.

What does this case reveal about how vulnerable athletes – especially women – are in football systems worldwide, and what must change urgently to protect them?

This case came as a shock to everyone for many reasons, but I want to highlight one in particular – and that is the ongoing nature of the criminal activity that went unnoticed for years and was only caught by the authorities investigating another criminal activity of the offender. In light of that, we must introduce a better safeguarding procedure within the clubs themselves. The system must have a zero-tolerance policy and introduce exemplary sanctions for offensive behaviour, but the safeguarding procedures must be implemented within the club environment to detect and eradicate a potential predatory behaviour of individuals.

What is your message to the players?

I would like to thank the players of 1.FC Slovacko and pay them a huge compliment for the bravery and courage they’ve shown. They are an inspiration to all men and women players who are dealing with any kind of abuse. The message is simple: help is available and player unions and FIFPRO will do all we can to support. You will never be left alone as victims; you will become the pioneers of change that will create a better and safer environment for everyone.