The report centres on former Czech coach Petr Vlachovsky, who used a hidden miniature camera to record at least 15 female players—some as young as 17—while they showered and changed between 2019 and 2023.

One of the victims, Kristyna Janku, said the scale and intent of the abuse only became clear when police invited her to identify herself in the footage following the coach’s arrest in 2023.

“You never think something like that can happen,” Janku said, describing her shock after seeing the recordings. “It was not by accident… he knew exactly what he was doing.”

The incidents occurred during Vlachovsky’s time at top-flight club 1. FC Slovacko, where he was regarded as a respected figure, having also coached Czech youth national teams and previously been voted the country’s best women’s coach.

The emotional toll on the players has been severe. Some reportedly vomited upon learning of the recordings, others left the club, while several sought psychological support. Janku, now playing in Poland, admitted the trauma has permanently altered her sense of safety.

A Czech court in May 2025 handed Vlachovsky a suspended one-year prison sentence, a five-year domestic coaching ban, and modest compensation of 20,000 Czech koruna (about $940) to each of 13 affected players. He was also found guilty of possessing child pornography material.

However, a major loophole remains: while banned in the Czech Republic, Vlachovsky is not currently prevented from working as a coach internationally, as neither FIFA nor UEFA has imposed a global sanction.

This has sparked outrage from FIFPRO, which is now calling for a worldwide lifetime ban. The union argues that failure to act sends a dangerous message and may discourage other victims from coming forward.

FIFPRO officials insist the case highlights systemic weaknesses in football governance, including the absence of a global database of sanctioned individuals, lack of mandatory safeguarding education for coaches, and inadequate reporting mechanisms.

“Despite being non-contact, this is still sexual abuse,” said FIFPRO legal counsel Barbara Mere Carrion, stressing the need for recognition of its severity.

FIFPRO’s women’s football director, Alex Culvin, criticised what she described as a lack of urgency from football authorities, arguing that women players are often not treated as priorities within the system.

The case has also reignited concerns about conflicts of interest within football governance structures. FIFPRO Secretary General Alex Phillips warned that federations may be reluctant to investigate their own officials, while global bodies face political pressures tied to elections and internal alliances.

Although FIFA says it has introduced safeguarding reforms, including a confidential reporting platform and a newly approved comprehensive safeguarding policy, critics argue enforcement remains inconsistent and opaque.

The Czech players’ union has now proposed new regulations to address abuse and is pushing for legislative changes at national level, while calls grow for independent oversight mechanisms in football.

For Janku, speaking out was a difficult but necessary step.

“It’s not comfortable to speak about it, but it is needed,” she said. “If there is a chance to make football safer for women and younger girls, we must act. Don’t be silent… and don’t let him coach again.”

The case is increasingly being viewed as emblematic of deeper safeguarding failures in global football, with experts warning it may represent only a fraction of a much wider, underreported problem.

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Australia ‌had granted humanitarian visas to six players and one support staff member after they sought asylum, saying they feared possible persecution if they returned to Iran.

Concerns over their safety surfaced when ​several players failed to sing the national anthem at a women’s ​Asian Cup match earlier this month after the United States and ⁠Israel launched the war against Iran. Iranian state television had labelled them “wartime traitors”.

The team, ​which flew into Istanbul on Tuesday, took a flight to Igdir in eastern Turkey ​on Wednesday morning.

The players emerged from Igdir Airport, pulling their luggage and chatted in front of the terminal before boarding a bus to the border. One of them briefly smiled ​and waved at a TV camera before the bus departed. After a trip ​of around two hours to the frontier, they went through passport control at the Gurbulak ‌border ⁠gate before crossing over into Iran.

A bus carrying members of the Iranian women’s national soccer team arrives at the Gurbulak Border Gate, a crossing point between Turkey and Iran, as they travel to their home country after five players withdrew the asylum claims they had lodged in Australia over safety concerns about returning due to not singing the national anthem at a women’s Asian Cup match earlier this month, in the eastern Agri province, Turkey, March 18, 2026. REUTERS/Ali Ihsan Ozturk

The team’s Asian Cup campaign began just as the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. They were eliminated from the tournament more than a week ago.

Five of ​those who had ​sought asylum in ⁠Australia subsequently changed their minds and decided to return home, with Australian media reporting the latest withdrawal on Monday.

They rejoined the ​rest of the squad in Kuala Lumpur, where the ​team had ⁠been staying since leaving Sydney last week.

The Iranian Football Association (FFIRI) said last week that those who had changed their minds would travel home with the rest of the team “to ⁠once ​again be embraced by their families and homeland.”

Two ​players are still in Australia and have been pictured training with a local A-League club.

-Reuters

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Midfielder Fatemeh Pasandideh and defender Atefeh Ramezanizadeh were among seven members of Iran’s delegation granted humanitarian visas amid fears of possible persecution if they returned home ​after competing in the women’s Asian Cup in Australia.

Concerns over their ​safety emerged after the players failed to sing their national ⁠anthem before their opening match on the Gold Coast in the state ​of Queensland. Iranian state media labelled them as “wartime traitors”, with the team’s campaign ​beginning as the U.S. and Israel launched air strikes on Iran.

Five members of the group, however, subsequently changed their minds about Australia’s asylum offer and decided to return ​home.

Queensland-based A-League club Brisbane Roar announced on social media the remaining two ​players, Pasandideh and Ramezanizadeh, had joined a training session with its women’s team on Monday.

“Brisbane ‌Roar ⁠officially welcomed both Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanizadeh to the club’s training facilities…and remain committed to providing a supportive environment for them whilst they navigate the next stages,” CEO Kaz Patafta said.

Photos posted by the club showed ​the two players ​meeting the Brisbane ⁠Roar squad and taking part in shooting drills.

“Thank you for everything,” wrote Ramezanizadeh, 33, under the post on Instagram.

Pasandideh, ​21, also posted on her Instagram story on Monday ​a photo ⁠with FIFA Chief Football Officer Jill Ellis in Brisbane with a caption saying “everything will be fine”.

While the pair began their new lives in Australia, their former ⁠teammates ​made their way home to Iran from ​Malaysia.

The team was seen at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Monday evening, checking in on an ​Oman Air flight, although their destination was unclear.

-Reuters

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Australia granted humanitarian visas to seven Iranian footballers last week after they sought asylum, saying they feared persecution ​if they returned home after they failed to sing ​the national anthem at a Women’s Asian Cup match.

Four ⁠of the seven members have decided to leave Australia ​so far. Another member changed her mind last week.

“After telling Australian officials ​they had made this decision, the players were given repeated chances to talk about their options,” Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said ​in a statement.

“While the Australian Government can ensure that opportunities ​are provided and communicated, we cannot remove the context in which the ‌players ⁠are making these incredibly difficult decisions,” he added.

The Iranian Football Association (FFIRI) named the players as Mona Hamoudi, Zahra Sarbali and Zahra Meshkehkar.

“After arriving in Malaysia and joining the rest ​of Iran’s women’s ​national football team, ⁠the three players will travel to Tehran in the coming days to once again be ​embraced by their families and homeland,” FFIRI added ​in ⁠a statement.

The Iranian team’s campaign in the Asian Cup started just as the U.S. and Israel launched air strikes on Iran, killing ⁠the ​Islamic Republic’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali ​Khamenei. They were eliminated from the tournament last Sunday.

-Reuters

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All Asian Cup semi-finalists earn automatic berths to the global showpiece, with the losing quarter-finalists to play off for two more spots ​on the Gold Coast next week.

Australia midfielder Alanna Kennedy ​scored her fifth goal at this year’s Asian Cup in ⁠the ninth minute against the North Koreans, while captain Sam ​Kerr doubled the Matildas’ lead just after the break before Chae Un-Yong ​pulled one back.

Australia will meet the winners of the match between defending champions China and Taiwan, who clash at the same Perth Rectangular Stadium on Saturday.

“I ​felt it was a really good team performance, defensively,” said Kerr. “The ​crowd was immense today, got us over the line. We’re going to need ‌them ⁠again in the semi-final.”

Kennedy has been in fine form for the 2010 champions and pounced when Kerr robbed opposing captain An Kuk-Hyang of the ball on the right side of the penalty area.

Kerr’s cut-back ​was intercepted but ​the clearance fell ⁠to Kennedy who lashed a fierce strike from the edge of the box inside the right ​post.

Kerr stretched the lead with a poacher’s goal in ​the 47th ⁠minute, swooping on a defensive mistake and thumping in another rising left-foot shot.

North Korea got their consolation goal in the 65th minute when ⁠Kim ​Kyong-Yong’s cross found Chae who slid the ​ball home.

Midfielder Emily van Egmond became Australia’s joint most capped player, joining Clare Polkinghorne ​on 169 appearances.

-Reuters

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Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced in parliament the squad member’s decision to return home, after five players from the team were granted asylum a day earlier.

A player and a support staff member accepted the government’s open offer of aid on Tuesday ​evening.

“One of the two who had made the decision to stay last night had spoken to some of the teammates who ​had left, and had changed her mind,” Burke told parliament.

“In Australia, people are able to change their mind, ⁠people are able to travel. And so, we respect the context in which she has made that decision.”

It was not immediately clear who ​had decided to return to Iran.

Burke said the rest of the players have been moved to a safe location after the member contacted the ​Iranian embassy, giving away their location

Concerns about the players’ safety grew after Iranian state television labelled the team “wartime traitors” for refusing to sing the national anthem during the women’s Asian Cup match in Australia earlier this month.

The two additional members of the delegation – 21-year-old striker Mohaddeseh Zolfi and support staffer Zahra Soltan Moshkehkar – were ​removed from the rest of the team with the aid of Australian Federal Police before they boarded a domestic flight to Sydney.

Before leaving ​the country, Australian officials separated the remaining team from their Iranian minders at Sydney airport and informed them of their options before they flew out of ‌Australia. All ⁠those that made it to the airport elected to return to Iran.

“What we made sure of was that there was no rushing, there was no pressure. Everything was about ensuring the dignity for those individuals to make a choice,” Burke said during a media briefing in Canberra.

FEAR FOR FAMILIES

Burke said some players had asked him about the possibility of aiding their family members leave Iran.

“Obviously, when people are permanent residents, there ​are rights that they have in ​terms of sponsoring other family ⁠members. But all of it only becomes relevant if people can get out of Iran in the first place,” he said.

Some discussed their options with family but declined the offer to remain in Australia. The ​team has since reached Kuala Lumpur on their way to Iran.

The Iranian team’s campaign in the tournament ​started just as ⁠the U.S. and Israel launched air strikes on Iran, killing the Islamic Republic’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. They were eliminated from the tournament on Sunday.

A group of Iranians living in Australia gathered to protest against the Iranian government and surrounded the players’ bus in Gold Coast when they left the ⁠hotel for ​the airport.

Many also turned up at the Sydney airport on Tuesday evening while they ​were being transferred to the international terminal, television footage showed.

The office of Iran’s general prosecutor said on Tuesday the remaining members of the team were invited back to the ​country “with peace and confidence,” Iranian media reported.

-Reuters

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• * Five players sought asylum after being called ‘wartime traitors’
• * Australian Federal Police moved players to a safe location
• *Asylum offer remains open for other squad members

Australian police extracted five Iranian women soccer players from the ​team’s hotel before they were granted asylum, the interior minister said on Tuesday, as details of their ‌escape from Iranian government minders emerged.

The five players, including team captain Zahra Ghanbari, sought protection after the team were branded “wartime traitors” for refusing to sing their national anthem before an Asian Cup match.

Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister for Climate Change Chris Bowen attend a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, March 10, 2026. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas/via REUTERS

The team’s Asian Cup campaign began as the U.S. and Israel ​launched air strikes on Iran and Australian media reported the team had been accompanied by Iranian government ​officials who were controlling their movements.

Conversations with the players about seeking asylum had been ongoing ⁠for several days, Interior Minister Tony Burke told a press conference as he confirmed the women had been granted asylum in Australia.

The ​players granted asylum were Ghanbari, Zahra Sarbali Alishah, Mona Hamoudi and Atefeh Ramezanizadeh – all in their early 30s – as well ​as 21-year-old Fatemeh Pasandideh.

MOVED TO SAFETY

The five players were moved to a safe location by the Australian Federal Police on Monday evening, where they remain under their protection, Burke said.

Even before their defection, Australia had deployed its own officers to protect the women.

“There’s been a ​good police presence at different points, and we just made sure that opportunity was there,” he said.

Once immigration ​officials completed the processing of the women’s humanitarian visas around 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday (1530 GMT Monday), celebrations broke out among those present.

“Once everything had been ‌signed ⁠off last night, there were lots of photos, lots of celebrating, and then a spontaneous outcry of ‘Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, oi, oi, oi’,” Burke said.

“These women are great athletes, great people, and they’re going to feel very much at home in Australia.”

TEAMMATES

Four of the players are teammates at the Bam Khatoon club, which has won the Iranian women’s championship ​a record 11 times and ​is where Ghanbari also ⁠played until she moved to Persepolis for this season.

Captain Ghanbari was suspended for several days in 2024 after her hijab, the head covering that all Iranian women players must wear, slipped off during a goal ​celebration in an Asian Champions League fixture.

Iran players pose prior to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Group A match between Iran and the Philippines at Gold Coast Stadium on the Gold Coast, Australia, March 8, 2026. Dave Hunt/AAP Image/via REUTERS

The 33-year-old striker, Iran’s record international goalscorer in ​the women’s ⁠game, was allowed to return to play only after she and Bam Khatoon issued apologies.

Ghanbari’s head scarf also slipped off her head several times during Iran’s final Asian Cup match against the Philippines on Sunday, when defeat ended their participation ⁠in the ​tournament.

Burke said the offer of asylum remained open for the other 21 ​members of the squad who were still at the Gold Coast hotel, though he said it was likely some would return home to Iran.

“These ​women have been weighing up an incredibly difficult decision,” he said.

-Reuters

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The Iranians, whose situation ‌had become a cause celebre among human rights campaigners, will play no further part in the tournament after a 2-0 loss to the Philippines at Gold Coast Stadium in the state of Queensland.

Iran coach Marziyeh Jafari told the post-match news conference that the team was keen to return ​home.

“We are very impatiently waiting to return,” she told reporters. “Personally, I would like to return to my country ​as soon as possible and be with my compatriots and family.”

Some fans, who had waved the ⁠pre-1979 Iranian flag and booed the national anthem inside the ground, tried to prevent the team coach from leaving the ​stadium precinct, chanting “Save our girls!”.

Reza Pahlavi, an American-based opposition activist and son of the Shah of Iran who was deposed in ​the 1979 revolution, called on the Australian government to ensure the team’s safety and give them any needed support.

‘ONGOING THREAT’

“The members of the Iranian Women’s National Football Team are under significant pressure and ongoing threat from the Islamic Republic,” he posted on social media platform X.

“As ​a result of their brave act of civil disobedience in refusing to sing the current regime’s national anthem, they face ​dire consequences should they return to Iran.”

The team’s campaign in Australia started last weekend just as the U.S. and Israel launched air strikes on ‌their ⁠homeland, killing the Islamic Republic’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

The players declined to sing the anthem before their loss to South Korea in their tournament opener on March 2, a decision a commentator on Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting said showed a lack of patriotism and was the “pinnacle of dishonour”.

They did sing the anthem and saluted before their second defeat against the host nation ​on Thursday, sparking fears among ​Australian human rights campaigners that ⁠they had been coerced by government minders

A petition launched on Friday on the Change.org website urging Australia to give refuge to the team had gathered more than 51,000 signatures late on ​Sunday.

The petition called on Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke to ensure the team did ​not depart Australia “while ⁠credible fears for their safety remain”.

Burke declined to comment on the petition via a spokesperson. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in televised remarks that she did not want to “get into commentary about the Iranian women’s team”.

“Obviously this is a regime that we know has ⁠brutally ​cracked down on its people,” she said.

Players union FIFPRO had previously called on the Asian ​Football Confederation (AFC) and FIFA to uphold their human rights obligations and undertake all necessary steps to ensure the safety of Iran’s squad in the wake ​of the broadcast.

–Reuters

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The Group C leaders, champions in 2014 and 2018, completely overwhelmed India at the Perth Rectangular Stadium, dominating possession and pinning their opponents deep inside their own half for most of the match. India failed to register a single shot as Japan’s relentless attack exposed the gulf in quality between the two sides.

Japan raced into an early lead in the fourth minute when Yuzuki Yamamoto curled in a superb opener before Yui Hasegawa added a second. Hinata Miyazawa then struck twice to extend the advantage, while Kiko Seike converted from the penalty spot to give Japan a commanding 5-0 lead at halftime.

Despite making three changes at the break, Japan showed no signs of easing off. Substitute Riko Ueki made an immediate impact, scoring twice within three minutes before completing her hat-trick in just 18 minutes after Maya Hijikata had also found the net.

Miyazawa rounded off the emphatic victory in the 81st minute to complete her own hat-trick, sealing an 11-0 scoreline that underlined Japan’s dominance as the highest-ranked team in Asia against an Indian side ranked 59 places below them.

Earlier in the day, Taiwan claimed their first victory of the tournament with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Vietnam.

Su Yu-hsuan scored the decisive goal in the first half with a well-taken header to give the three-time Asian champions the lead in a contest where clear chances were limited.

Vietnam, who reached the quarter-finals in the previous edition, pushed forward in search of an equaliser and registered nine attempts on goal. However, none were on target as Taiwan’s disciplined defence held firm to preserve their slender advantage until the final whistle.

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Both FIFA, world football’s governing body, and the AFC have been called upon to “undertake all necessary steps to ensure the safety of Iran’s Women’s National Team players”.

The Iran women’s national football team players did not sing their national anthem before their Asian Cup opener against South Korea in Australia earlier ⁠this week.

Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting presenter Mohammad Reza Shahbazi said in a video that the players showed a lack of patriotism and their actions amounted to the “pinnacle of dishonour” in footage circulating widely on social media.

“Let me ⁠just say one thing: traitors during wartime ⁠must be dealt with more severely,” Shahbazi said.

“Anyone who takes a step against the country under war conditions must be dealt with more severely. Like this matter of ⁠our women’s football team not singing the national anthem … these people must be dealt with more ⁠severely.”

In a statement released on the social media platform X, FIFPRO released a strong and lengthy statement outlining its concerns.

“In addition to the dangerous situation the players would face if they return to Iran following the tournament, FIFPRO Asia/Oceania is deeply concerned by reports that Iranian state television has publicly attacked the members of the team for remaining silent during the national anthem before their opening match,” the statement read.

“Footage circulating online shows Mohammad Reza Shahbazi, a state TV presenter, calling for them to face the ‘stigma of dishonour and betrayal’.

“These statements significantly heighten concerns for the players’ safety should they return to Iran after the tournament.

“FIFPRO Asia/Oceania has once again written to the AFC and FIFA, calling on them to uphold their human rights obligations under the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and FIFA’s Human Rights Policy and protect the players.

“We call on the AFC and FIFA to urgently engage with the Iranian Football Association, the Australian Government and all other relevant authorities to ensure that every effort is made to protect the safety of the players.”

The Iranian players stood in silence when Iran’s anthem was played at the Gold Coast ahead of their 3-0 opening loss to South ‌Korea on Monday, though they sang and saluted before a 4-0 defeat by hosts Australia three days later.

The Reuters news agency has contacted both the Asian Football Confederation, the Iranian football federation and the team at the Asian Cup for comment.

Ahead of their game against Australia, Iran forward Sara Didar fought ‌back tears and spoke about the war, while coach Marziyeh Jafari said her players were doing their best to focus on the ‌tournament ‌despite concern for their families back home.

Iran face the Philippines on Sunday in their final group match.

-Aljazeera

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