BRATISLAVA – The Slovak Football Association is facing an unprecedented scandal that could shake the very foundations of our most popular sport. Shocking documents leaked to the public, according to which the union was supposed to guarantee all its assets for the purchase of thousands of luxury phones at a dizzying value of almost 17 million euros. While creditors are already knocking on the door, the management of SFZ categorically refuses to approve a deal on such a monstrous scale at any time.
According to the contracts and invoices that appeared, the Slovak Football Association (SFZ) was supposed to assume the role of guarantor in the sale of 17,000 units of iPhone 16 phones. The total debt that should have arisen due to the non-payment of invoices by the private company rose to an astronomical 16,950,429.49 euros.
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The situation is all the more serious because if these claims prove to be legally enforceable, SFZ could lose millions of euros from its budget. In practice, this would mean a catastrophic scenario – money intended for youth development, playgrounds or balls for children would be absorbed by the debt for thousands of telephones, which the union, according to its own words, did not even order.
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Signature of the boss and convicted executive
In the center of attention is the Guarantee Agreement, which was to be signed by its boss Ján Kováčik on behalf of the union. The documents indicate that SFZ guarantees with its entire assets for the obligations of the Nitra company Best Press s.r.o. The background of this partner is particularly striking. In August 2025, the manager of the aforementioned company was legally convicted of property fraud in the amount of 60 million euros.
SFZ defends itself by saying that they checked the company according to standard procedures. “The company Best Press is a long-term business partner. SFZ has carried out and is carrying out a regular inspection of the supplier in question according to SFZ’s internal procedures, i.e. in particular checking whether it is not in debt to the state, whether it is not bankrupt or has other obligations,” said the union in response to our questions.
The union distances itself from million-dollar invoices
The leadership of Slovak football sharply distances itself from the million-dollar invoices. According to their version, it was a normal purchase of technology for their own needs, not 17,000 iPhones. The amount should have been a thousand times lower. “SFZ rejects the claim that it would assume liability for the obligations of Best Press s.r.o. in the amount of EUR 17 million. The presented guarantee agreement was provided solely for the purpose of securing the goods ordered for the needs of SFZ as an end customer, i.e. in an estimated amount not exceeding EUR 15,000.” says union spokesman Juraj Čurný.
The union also adds that it has known about the situation since November last year, when the Executive Committee was informed. However, they insist that there is no threat of execution. “SFZ does not register that any claim has been made against it in court. SFZ is not at risk of execution and there is no threat of paralyzing the activities of the union or the Slovak national team.”
Opinion of SFZ
The Slovak Football Association (SFZ) categorically rejects the existence of any obligation of the SFZ that should result from the documents anonymously delivered to the media today.
SFZ never ordered or took delivery of the mentioned 17,000 mobile phones of a specific premium brand. SFZ rejects the claim that it would assume responsibility for the obligations of Best Press s.r.o. in the amount of EUR 17 million. The presented warranty agreement was provided exclusively for the purpose of securing the goods ordered for the needs of SFZ as an end customer, i.e. in an estimated amount not exceeding 15,000. EUR. SFZ duly fulfilled all obligations for the goods delivered to it.
The publicized case concerns the relationship between third parties and is currently the subject of business negotiations and solutions between the SFZ supplier and the supplier’s business partner. In this context, SFZ states that it does not register any claim made against SFZ in court, nor any decision that would establish its obligation to fulfill. At the same time, SFZ emphasizes that it is not threatened with execution or bankruptcy.
In the event that the declared claim against SFZ is asserted through the courts, it will be effectively defended by all available legal means. SFZ is currently solving the whole matter in cooperation with an external legal representative, with the fact that due to the ongoing legal assessment of the whole matter and the need to protect its rights and legitimate interests, at this stage it will not publicly comment on the details of the medialized warranty agreement or related documents.
The lawsuit is in court
The law firm ACT Legal has confirmed that it represents a client who has incurred a claim in the amount of approximately 17 million euros of principal against the company Best Press. “This claim is secured by the guarantee of the Slovak Football Association. The guarantee agreement was signed by the president of the Slovak Football Association and secures the claim in its entire amount. As the claim was not paid by either the company Best Press or the guarantor, i.e. the Slovak Football Association, despite calls, the client had to proceed with its application by filing a lawsuit in the relevant court.” the law firm informed.
The whole case comes at a time of heightened conflict between the football association and the Minister of Sports, Rudolf Huliak, who has already signed a certificate on the temporary suspension of funding for SFZ. According to him, the reason is the “serious deficiencies” found during the inspection.
“The Chief Controller of Sport is conducting an inspection at SFZ. Yesterday, January 28, I received a written statement from the Chief Controller of Sport, in which he informs me that during the ongoing inspection he became reasonably suspicious of a serious deficiency on the part of SFZ. In his opinion, he asked the Ministry to take immediate action in accordance with the Sports Act. He asked me to immediately suspend the eligibility of the recipient of public funds of SFZ. For the period necessary to investigate a possible serious deficiency. Today I signed a certificate of temporary suspension of the eligibility of the recipient of public funds against SFZ.” Huliak announced at the end of January.
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