UEFA removes MFK Karviná from Europa League for involvement in Czech match-fixing scandal

UEFA have removed Czech club MFK Karviná from participation in the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League (UEL) over its involvement in the match scandal that saw more than 50 people arrested by Czech police in March.

UEFA said that its Appeals Body had ruled “MFK Karviná ineligible to participate in the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League for failing to fulfil the admission criterion required by Article 4.01(g) of the Regulations of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League, i.e. for being directly and/or indirectly involved in activity aimed at arranging or influencing the outcome of matches at national level.”

The Czech arrests in March targeted individuals suspected of match-fixing and bribery activity linked to betting. Prosecutors are calling for jail sentences of nine to 14 years for the individuals arrested, with the cases being classified as organised crime group activity that under Czech law receives harsher sentencing.

The scale of the case makes it one of the biggest match-fixing scandals in professional football in Europe to date. The Czech FA (FAČR) ethics committee chairman Martin Holub confirmed in March that 47 disciplinary proceedings had already been opened.

Among those under investigation are several referees, as well as players and club officials. Standout midfielder Samuel Šigut and Matěj Hýbl and their club MFK Karviná, were all being investigated.

In May 2026, Karviná won the Czech Cup that qualified them for the play-off round of the 2026-27 Europa League.  

In June Karviná was relegated to the FNL (the second tier of Czech professional football) by the FAČR’s Ethics Committee due to the alleged match-fixing. The club said they would appeal the ruling. UEFA have now ruled out their appeal to remain in the Europa League.

FC Viktoria Plzeň will now take Karviná’s place and their spot in the second qualifying round main path will be filled by FC Hradec Králové who were originally in the Conference League play-offs. FK Jablonec take their Conference League slot.