UEFA excludes MFK Karviná from Europa League – Viktoria Plzeň, Hradec Králové and Jablonec move up

UEFA has excluded MFK Karviná from participating in the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League. The decision follows the club's involvement in the manipulation of domestic matches. Three other Czech clubs will benefit, with the European qualification places being reallocated.

UEFA has officially declared MFK Karviná ineligible to participate in the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League. As the European governing body announced on Thursday, the club failed to meet the admission criteria after being directly and/or indirectly involved in activities aimed at arranging or influencing the outcome of matches at national level.

The decision was taken by the UEFA Appeals Body on 2 July 2026. Following the ruling, the UEFA Emergency Panel adjusted the allocation of European competition places for clubs from the Czech Football Association on the same day.

As winners of the Czech Cup, MFK Karviná had originally qualified for the Europa League play-offs. That place has now been awarded to FC Viktoria Plzeň. As a result, FC Hradec Králové move into the second qualifying round of the Europa League, while FK Jablonec take the vacant place in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League.

The qualifying ties have also been adjusted accordingly. In the second qualifying round of the Europa League, FC Hradec Králové will face Norwegian side Tromsø IL. FK Jablonec will play Croatian club NK Varaždin in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League.

FC Viktoria Plzeň will learn their opponents for the Europa League play-offs at the draw on 3 August.

Karviná relegated from the Czech First League

Already in mid-June, the Ethics Committee of the Czech Football Association (FAČR) expelled top-flight club MFK Karviná from the Czech First League over the manipulation of three matches. The club was also fined ten million Czech crowns.

According to the Ethics Committee, Karviná attempted to influence a league match against České Budějovice in 2024, as well as the relegation play-off matches against Vyškov. The committee stated that the offences were committed in connection with the club's battle to avoid relegation from the Czech top flight.


Fotbalová asociace České republiky
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