Czech referee Simon Vejtasa banned for 15 years over corruption

The Football Association of the Czech Republic's Ethics Committee has banned former referee Simon Vejtasa from football activities for 15 years and imposed a fine of 150,000 CZK. The decision follows findings of corruption related to three matches involving the Baník Ostrava reserve team between 2021 and 2023.

The committee concluded that Vejtasa accepted bribes to influence the outcome of matches on two occasions and was promised a bribe on a third. The incidents involved matches against Znojmo in October 2021, Frýdek-Místek in October 2022, and Stará B Brno in September 2023.

Vejtasa, who also works as a marketing manager for the Olomouc hockey club, has denied the allegations and intends to appeal the decision within five days. The case is part of a broader corruption investigation within Czech football that began in March 2026, involving police scrutiny into fraud, bribery, and organized crime.