PRAGUE: The Czech Republic players union has called for a lifetime soccer ban on sexual offenders after a coach who secretly filmed female players avoided jail time with a one-year suspended sentence.
Petr Vlachovsky also was given a five-year domestic coaching ban issued by a criminal judge after it was determined the former coach at 1. FC Slovacko filmed women in changing rooms and showers over a four-year period.
The punishment was handed down in 2025 but came to light last month when several players spoke out on local news site, Seznam.
The verdict had been issued without a trial and the players could not appeal.
The union, Czech Association of Soccer Players, supported by global players union FIFPRO, “is challenging the (Czech soccer association) to implement a lifetime football ban for Vlachovsky and all sexual offenders.”
“FIFPRO is exploring possible legal avenues on behalf of players to achieve a global ban,” the union said in a statement Tuesday.
“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,” FIFPRO said. “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.”
FIFPRO added in a social media post: “Non-contact sexual abuse is still abuse, and players must be protected.”
Czech union wants lifetime ban on former coach who secretly filmed female players
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Czech union wants lifetime ban on former coach who secretly filmed female players
- Petr Vlachovsky also was given a five-year domestic coaching ban issued by a criminal judge
- “FIFPRO is exploring possible legal avenues on behalf of players to achieve a global ban,” the union said
Yamal penalty rescues Barca from defeat at Newcastle
- The Liga champions still have work to do when the sides meet again on March 18, but will leave Tyneside relieved after a sub-par performance from Hansi Flick’s side
NEWCASTLE, United Kingdom: Lamine Yamal’s penalty with the last kick of the game rescued Barcelona from defeat at Newcastle in a 1-1 Champions League last 16, first leg draw on Tuesday.
The Magpies were headed for a night to savour at St. James’ Park when Harvey Barnes opened the scoring on 86 minutes.
Yamal had been a peripheral figure but showed the composure of one of the world’s best players from the spot after Dani Olmo was tripped by Malick Thiaw deep into stoppage time.
The Liga champions still have work to do when the sides meet again on March 18, but will leave Tyneside relieved after a sub-par performance from Hansi Flick’s side.
Newcastle’s bid to make the quarter-finals for the first time was dealt a blow before kick-off when Anthony Gordon was forced to start on the bench due to illness.
Only Kylian Mbappe has scored more than Gordon’s 10 Champions League goals this season and the England international’s threat was badly missed as Newcastle a[pplied early pressure.
Eddie Howe had billed this game as the biggest in the club’s history and the desire to make amends for a FA Cup exit to Manchester City and a dissapointing Premier League season showed.
Howe made a bold choice with Gordon’s replacement as William Osula came in at the expense of club record signing Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa up front.
Osula’s pace troubled Barca’s high defensive line early on, but Newcastle’s best attempt to break the deadlock before half-time came from a corner.
Joan Garcia spilled his attempt to save Sandro Tonali’s header and needed to be rescued by a goal-line clearance from Pau Cubarsi.
The home side continued to press for a breakthrough in the second period.
Anthony Elanga should have picked out Barnes for a simple finish when his low cross was cut out by Garcia.
It took nearly 70 minutes for the visitors to create a clear sight of goal when Robert Lewandowski prodded wide from Raphinha’s cross.
That was Lewandowski’s final act as he was replaced by Marcus Rashford, who scored twice when the sides met at St. James’ Park in the League Phase.
Howe also turned to his bench in search of a winner with Gordon among those introduced.
The offside flag came to Barca’s aid when Joelinton thought he had opened the scoring after Barnes struck the post.
The visitors’ desire just to see the game out at 0-0 was evidenced when Ronald Araujo tried to hold up play by rolling back on the field after going down injured.
Italian referee Marco Guida refused to let the Uruguayan defender immediately back onto the field and Newcastle took full advantage as Barnes was unmarked at the back post, where Araujo should have been, to convert Jacob Murphy’s cross.
Much of Newcastle’s fine work was undone by one mistake as Thiaw flicked out a leg to bring down the jinking Olmo inside the box.
Yamal coolly sent Aaron Ramsdale the wrong way to leave Newcastle needing heroics in the Camp Nou next week to reach the last eight.
