MFK Karvina, which won the Czech Cup only weeks ago, has been expelled from the Czech top flight and is facing removal from European competition after an ethics commission found evidence of match-fixing. The club was fined 10 million Czech korunas, about 413,000 euros, and said it will appeal the ruling, which is not yet final.
The commission said Karvina was involved in fixing three decisive matches from the 2023/24 relegation battle, including a league match against Ceske Budejovice in March 2024 and two playoff games against Vyskov in May and June. According to the findings, bribes were offered through club representative and Karvina mayor Jan Wolf to two referees and two players, including one offer of 100,000 korunas and a promise to help with a future transfer.
Wolf was handed the harshest individual penalty, a 12-year ban from all football-related activity and a 3 million koruna fine. Several other players and football officials, including Nikolas Tilkeridis, Daniel Kovat, Jakub Telosti, Lomik Ciz, and Jiri Remias, received bans ranging from 15 months to 12 years, along with financial penalties.
The case is part of a much wider corruption scandal in Czech football. In March, the federation said 47 people and organizations were under disciplinary proceedings, after police raids across several regions led to dozens of arrests and later criminal charges against 32 people. The association says more decisions may follow.
Karvina’s appeal creates a chaotic situation before the June 22 deadline that finalizes next season’s league lineup. If UEFA accepts the ruling, Karvina could be blocked from the 2026/27 Europa League playoff round, with Viktoria Plzen, Hradec Kralove and Jablonec among the teams likely to benefit. If the club is removed after the season starts, the Czech top division could be played with only 15 teams.
