Kristyna Janku was taken aback when she received a call from a police officer, uncertain of what information awaited her. She had been exposed to various rumors and speculation, leaving her unsure about the veracity of the claims circulating around her.
The police had arrested her former coach, Petr Vlachovsky, who had dedicated nearly 15 years to coaching women and girls at FC Slovacko and was once recognized as the best women’s football coach in the Czech Republic. Janku was about to learn the shocking details behind his arrest.
“When the police officer informed me of the situation, I had to go to the station to see the evidence,” Janku recounted while reflecting on the events of 2023. “Upon my arrival, I was shown video footage, records, images, and online conversations. The police needed us to verify our identities. We were utterly stunned, struggling to believe that this was actually happening, as it felt like a scene from a movie.”
It was revealed that Vlachovsky had been clandestinely recording Slovacko players in their locker room for four years and was also found to possess material related to child sexual abuse.
According to Alex Phillips, the secretary general of the global players’ union, Fifpro, this incident represents only “the tip of the iceberg,” emphasizing that most individuals do not come forward, and many cases go unreported due to players’ uncertainties about where to seek help or their lack of trust in the reporting process.
“I was shocked to learn that it had been happening for such an extended period,” Janku expressed. “He was our coach for a long time, and we had a trustworthy relationship with him.”
Last May, Vlachovsky received a one-year suspended sentence, a fine, and a five-year prohibition from participating in any football-related activities in the Czech Republic. However, the Czech Football Association has yet to take disciplinary action, as his membership had expired by the time criminal proceedings commenced. Although the Czech FA has not reported the case to FIFA’s ethics committee, which could impose global bans, it is currently discussing potential changes to its safeguarding policies regarding sexual abuse cases.
Now playing in Poland, Janku is concerned about the possibility of Vlachovsky appearing as a coach on the opposing side. “I don’t even want to think about that,” she remarked. “It’s truly unsettling.”
In February, a similar incident occurred in Austria, where a man received a seven-month suspended prison sentence and a fine of €1,200 (£1,046) for secretly filming and photographing the Altach women’s football team in their changing room, gym, and showers. He was also ordered to compensate each victim €625 (£545).
Vlachovsky’s actions have profoundly affected Janku. “I view certain interactions differently now, being more cautious around coaches and staff members. Some jokes that were once harmless now raise red flags for me. I find myself analyzing situations more than I used to, but I don’t want this to undermine my trust in all coaches or men,” she stated.
Non-contact sexual abuse can lead to severe long-term consequences. Although Janku has not sought therapy from the Czech players’ union and considers herself “one of the luckier girls” regarding the psychological impact, she still feels compelled to scan for potential hidden cameras in every dressing room, despite recognizing the improbability of finding one.
“It’s a difficult habit to break—constantly looking around,” the 31-year-old admitted. “I’m more discreet when changing before and after games and ensure that doors are secured. I’m also more cautious in public settings, like pools, where I try to limit exposure even in private cubicles.”
Other players have experienced severe distress, with some needing to switch clubs and others unable to return to their previous environments.
Alex Culvin, Fifpro’s director of women’s football, highlighted the inadequate response from governing bodies and the concerning perceptions surrounding the severity of such cases. “Some people dismiss it by saying, ‘They weren’t raped, so how bad can it be?’ This mindset is damaging,” she explained. “One player even mentioned developing body dysmorphia due to this situation, which is particularly alarming as an athlete’s body is crucial to their livelihood.”
Janku finds her healing through advocacy. “I see an opportunity for change,” she remarked, noting that all of Vlachovsky’s victims feel his punishment was insufficient. “It’s absurd because the trauma will remain with us for a lifetime. Many aspects of our lives and careers have been altered due to this experience. For us female footballers, it’s not about financial gain, but we are deeply unsettled by the fact that he can still return to coaching, even abroad, and potentially work with young girls.”
Phillips emphasized that safeguarding education and prevention initiatives are increasingly prioritized by football governing bodies. However, he also stressed the need for a well-funded international entity independent of these organizations to manage investigations and impose sanctions effectively.
He pointed out that in many regions, sexual abuse is not regarded as a significant issue. “There seems to be little motivation to address it, as there are no apparent benefits,” he stated. “That’s the perception, at least.”
Phillips noted that the most significant abuse scandals in football, such as those in Haiti, Gabon, and Afghanistan, only surfaced due to investigations led by journalists, often in collaboration with unions, despite federations already possessing the information.
Culvin reflected on the parallels with the early stages of the Me Too movement, noting, “The message was clear: believe women. There’s a troubling tendency to prioritize the needs of more prominent players over those deemed less valuable.”
