A decision by UEFA to impose a lifetime ban on a former women’s football coach is reinforcing ongoing calls for stronger safeguarding measures and athlete protection across professional sport.
FIFPRO has welcomed UEFA’s decision to impose a lifetime ban on former 1. FC Slovacko women’s head coach Petr Vlachovsky following findings that he secretly filmed players in changing rooms over several years.
According to FIFPRO, the decision represents an important step toward accountability and sends a clear message that abusive behaviour has no place in professional sport. The organisation also stressed the importance of creating safer environments for athletes and ensuring players feel protected both on and off the field.
The case has once again highlighted growing concerns around safeguarding, abuse prevention, and athlete welfare within professional sport - particularly in women’s football, where players and unions have increasingly pushed for stronger reporting mechanisms and institutional protections.
These concerns are also reflected in the 2023 South American Women’s Football Study, #NosotrasJugamos, conducted by FIFPRO South America, the National Union of Professional Women Football Players of Chile (Sindicato de Jugadoras de Fútbol Profesional de Chile, ANJUF) and the University of Chile. The study found that 73% of first division players of South America surveyed reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment during their careers, while 42% said they had feared being harassed and 36% had witnessed situations of sexual harassment.
The report also highlighted broader patterns of gender discrimination in women’s football, with 85% of players reporting having experienced some form of gender-based discrimination during their sporting careers.
From World Players’ perspective, safeguarding and athlete wellbeing must remain central responsibilities for all sporting institutions. Professional athletes have the right to safe working environments free from abuse, intimidation, and exploitation, and player associations continue to play a critical role in advocating for stronger protections, accountability, and support systems across sport.
As conversations around athlete welfare continue to evolve globally, the case reinforces the importance of independent player representation and the need for clear safeguarding standards throughout professional sport.
Photo credit: IMAGO / Beautiful Sports
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