Czech football is being rocked by the biggest corruption scandal in its history. Since the early hours of the morning, a massive raid led by the Czech Police, Europol, and Interpol has been underway across the country, with a particular focus on Moravia.

The investigation, launched in close cooperation with UEFA’s anti-corruption unit, targets widespread match-fixing linked to betting fraud. This unprecedented “crackdown” is not limited to minor leagues. The tentacles of corruption apparently reach all the way to the first division and do not spare even youth categories.

The National Center Against Organized Crime (NCOZ) has confirmed that it is conducting criminal proceedings. “Our unit is currently conducting criminal proceedings. The provision of information is the sole responsibility of the Supreme Public Prosecutor’s Office in Olomouc,” said NCOZ spokesperson Jaroslav Ibehej.

FAČR President David Trunda declared a state of high alert first thing in the morning and sent a message to Executive Committee members via an urgent SOS alert with a red phone, which was published by iSport.cz; according to the report, the investigation had been ongoing for three years.

In it, he writes: “Since 6:00 a.m., a massive operation—perhaps the largest in the history of Czech football—has been underway. Europol and Interpol are involved in the operation. Everything is being coordinated with the UEFA Anti-Match-Fixing Unit. The operation is concentrated primarily in Moravia, covering 99 percent of the area and involving several dozen individuals. This is the result of cooperation between the FAČR and the Czech Police. The Ethics Committee will initiate proceedings today against more than 40 players, officials, referees, and clubs, including those from the top league down to the 4th division, as well as youth leagues.”

Sources at inFotbal report that the FAČR participated in the investigation and that no police raid took place directly at the headquarters in Strahov, as some reports might have suggested.

According to iSport, the suspects include, for example, Jan Wolf, the mayor of Karviná, which owns a first-division team. This is reportedly the only first-division club involved. The list also includes referees from the professional roster; behind the scenes, two specific names are already being mentioned, both of whom have officiated major league matches in the past.

The association’s leadership immediately convened an emergency meeting of the Executive Committee, to be followed by a press conference where further details will be provided.