Uefa expel Czech champions from Europa League for match-fixing

Uefa have expelled Czech Cup winners MFK Karvina from next season’s Europa League due to its involvement in match-fixing.The Uefa Appeals Body ruled Karvina ineligible for failing to comply with admission criteria, citing the club's direct or indirect involvement in activities aimed at arranging or influencing the outcome of matches at the national level.Karvina have also been fined 10m Czech koruna (£354,000) by Uefa, with the club opting not to appeal.

Karvina had qualified for the 2025/26 Europa League play-offs through their domestic cup triumph, but this decision has triggered a reshuffle of European competition spots for clubs from the Czech Football Association (FACR). Viktoria Plzen will now take the Europa League play-off spot originally reserved for Karvina, while Hradec Kralove will take Plzen's original spot in the Europa League second qualifying round. Jablonec will enter the Conference League second qualifying round, filling the vacancy left by Hradec Kralove.

Karvina were also expelled from the Czech top division by their national football association on 16 June.In March, the Czech association initiated a disciplinary investigation involving 47 individuals and teams, including referees, officials, players, former players, and clubs from the top four leagues, all facing allegations of involvement in the match-fixing scandal.ReutersJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments