Slovak Football Association President Faces Financial Scrutiny Amidst Election

The Slovak Football Association (SFZ) is facing potential financial turmoil as allegations surface regarding guarantees provided by current president Ján Kováčik on behalf of the organization for a private company, Best Press. The controversy comes just days before the SFZ presidential election on February 27, where Kováčik is a candidate for re-election.

Millions in Guarantees

According to findings from the Ján Kuciak Investigative Center, Kováčik guaranteed debts exceeding €24 million, which creditors are now seeking from the SFZ. The SFZ guaranteed the obligations of Best Press in its dealings with companies including SWAN a.s., Asbis Sk s.r.o, and Apex Services s.r.o. These transactions reportedly involved the purchase of tens of thousands of Apple iPhones.

Concerns Over Presidential Authority

The SFZ’s internal regulations allow the president to sign contracts and guarantees up to €100,000 without approval from the executive committee or the SFZ Conference. Still, the Ján Kuciak Investigative Center has obtained documentation suggesting that Kováčik guaranteed the full value of the deals, significantly exceeding his authorized limit. A Guarantee Agreement with Apex Services s.r.o., signed by Kováčik on September 1, 2025, explicitly states that the SFZ would be responsible for the entire unpaid obligation of Best Press.

Conflicting Statements

Kováčik maintains that he believed he was only guaranteeing up to €100,000. However, this claim is disputed by documentation and statements from individuals involved. In a podcast interview with Denník Šport, Kováčik initially confirmed signing a letter requesting a quote for 75,000 phones, then later denied signing such a document and questioned the logic of ordering such a large quantity. Ján Šípoš, the owner of Best Press, asserts that the SFZ was fully aware of the obligations outlined in the guarantee agreements.

Internal Dissent

Peter Sepeši, a member of the SFZ Executive Committee and a prosecutor by profession, has voiced strong concerns about Kováčik’s actions. In a letter to his colleagues, Sepeši argued that guaranteeing Best Press’s obligations was legally and economically unsound, and a significant risk to the SFZ. He similarly pointed out that recent changes to the Slovak Criminal Code resulted in a reduced sentence for Šípoš, who was convicted of fraud in 2025.

Timeline of Transactions

The relationship between SFZ and Best Press dates back to at least 2020, with the union purchasing printers worth €16,000. In 2024, the SFZ, in cooperation with mobile operator SWAN, planned to distribute 14,000 mobile phones to football officials and coaches. Even as the SFZ claims these were Xiaomi devices, SWAN alleges that 14,000 Apple iPhones were ordered through Best Press, with unpaid invoices totaling nearly €3 million. In 2025, Best Press secured a contract to supply 75,000 iPhones to the SFZ, allegedly for distribution to clubs and associations, a claim denied by the Football Association of the Czech Republic (FAČR).

Ministerial Intervention

The situation escalated when Minister of Tourism and Sports Rudolf Huliak suspended the SFZ’s eligibility to receive public funds due to detected irregularities. The ministry will release the funds once the issues are resolved.

Upcoming Election

Ján Kováčik, who has led Slovak football since 2010, is running for re-election against Petr Palenčík, the current SFZ general secretary. The outcome of the election could significantly impact the SFZ’s handling of the financial crisis and its future direction.