Bratislava, Slovakia – The Slovak Football Association (SFZ) is facing a deepening financial crisis and a swirling controversy surrounding its president, Ján Kováčik, just days before scheduled elections. An investigation by the Investigative Center of Ján Kuciak reveals that Kováčik personally guaranteed over €24 million in debt for a private company, Best Press, potentially jeopardizing the future of Slovak football.
The revelations come at a critical juncture, with the SFZ’s funding from the Sports Ministry currently suspended. The timing also coincides with a presidential election within the association, where Kováčik is seeking re-election against two other candidates.
According to sources within the SFZ’s Executive Committee, Kováčik appeared “frightened” during a recent meeting to discuss the allegations, largely deferring questions to his legal counsel. The situation has sparked concern among committee members, with one prokurator (prosecutor) within the committee, Peter Sepeši, expressing strong disagreement with Kováčik’s actions, deeming them a “hazard” and a failure of legal and economic prudence.
The core of the issue lies in Kováčik’s decision, in 2024 and 2025, to personally guarantee transactions between Best Press and several companies – SWAN, Asbis Sk, Apex Services – totaling over €24 million, a figure that could rise to €35 million. These transactions involved the purchase of tens of thousands of Apple iPhones.
Crucially, Kováčik’s authority to sign such guarantees is limited to €100,000 without the approval of the Executive Committee or the SFZ Conference. However, the agreements signed appear to bypass this limit, guaranteeing the full amount of the transactions. A specific agreement with Apex Services explicitly states that the SFZ would be liable for the entire unpaid debt.
Kováčik maintains he believed his authority was limited to €100,000 and therefore only guaranteed that amount. However, documentation obtained by the Investigative Center of Ján Kuciak contradicts this claim.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that the owner of Best Press, Ján Šipoš, was recently convicted of fraud. The SFZ had previously contracted with Best Press in 2020 for the purchase of printers, and the company also served as a partner for the Art Film Fest, an event organized by Kováčik’s company.
The unfolding scandal prompted Minister of Sports and Tourism Rudolf Huliak to suspend funding to the SFZ, citing irregularities. The SFZ has contested this decision, claiming no significant wrongdoing was uncovered during previous checks. However, the minister’s actions have undeniably exacerbated the financial pressures on the association.
The financial strain is evident in the SFZ’s projected budget for 2026, which shows planned revenues of €27,625,470 and expenditures of €27,611,192 – a precarious balance that could easily be disrupted by the looming debt obligations. Reports indicate unpaid salaries to players and state debts, mirroring financial struggles faced by other Slovak sports clubs, including KFC Komárno and AS Trenčín.
Adding to the complexity, Kováčik reportedly offered Venezuelan bonds and claimed a $1.1 billion asset in a Hong Kong fund as potential repayment for the debt owed to Asbis, one of the companies involved in the transactions. This claim has raised further questions about the SFZ’s financial management and Kováčik’s leadership.
The controversy has also exposed internal divisions within the SFZ. Peter Sepeši, in a letter to his fellow Executive Committee members, criticized Kováčik’s actions and questioned the legality of the guarantees. He also expressed concern that the lenient sentence received by Šipoš – five years of home detention – was a result of recent changes to the Slovak criminal code.
As the SFZ prepares for its presidential election on , the future of Slovak football hangs in the balance. The allegations against Kováčik and the looming financial crisis threaten to destabilize the association and cast a shadow over the sport’s development in the country. The outcome of the election and the resolution of the financial issues will be critical in determining the path forward for Slovak football.
