Bratislava – A growing financial crisis is engulfing the Slovak Football Association (SFZ) as three companies claim the organization owes them millions of euros for the delivery of tens of thousands of iPhones. The dispute centers around alleged guarantees provided by SFZ President Ján Kováčik for the purchases, a claim the association vehemently denies. The unfolding situation threatens to destabilize Slovak football and has already prompted the Minister of Tourism and Sport to temporarily suspend funding to the SFZ.
The core of the controversy revolves around a series of transactions facilitated by the company Best Press. While the SFZ acknowledges ordering approximately 6,000 cheaper Xiaomi phones through Best Press for distribution to regional and local clubs, it insists it never ordered or received any Apple iPhones. However, three separate firms – Asbis, Swan, and Apex Services – assert they delivered a combined total of 34,000 iPhones to the SFZ via Best Press, and are now seeking payment.
According to reports, the total value of the disputed iPhones could reach a staggering 35 million euros, exceeding the SFZ’s annual budget. Two of the companies have already initiated legal proceedings against the SFZ, with a third preparing to do so. The SFZ maintains that any alleged guarantees are related solely to transactions between Best Press and the suppliers, and do not involve the association directly. “If there is a relationship, it is between Best Press and the suppliers. The guarantee that the opposing side is operating on concerns goods that we never ordered and never received,” stated SFZ spokesperson Juraj Čurný.
The case is further complicated by the background of Ján Šípoš, the owner of Best Press. Šípoš was previously convicted of fraud related to medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic, raising questions about the SFZ’s dealings with the company. Investigative reporting suggests the SFZ may have provided guarantees for up to 90,000 iPhones purchased through Best Press from multiple distributors, including Absis SK.
Disputed Guarantees and Legal Battles
The companies claim to possess documentation indicating Ján Kováčik personally guaranteed payment for the iPhones. The SFZ, however, refutes this claim, asserting that no such guarantee exists. Pravda reported that the Minister of Tourism and Sport, Rudolf Huliak, has temporarily suspended funding to the SFZ pending further investigation. This action underscores the seriousness with which the government is treating the allegations.
Previous Transactions with Best Press
This isn’t the first instance of the SFZ engaging with Best Press. In 2020, Best Press supplied the association with approximately 1,500 printers, which were then distributed to regional and local football organizations. While the SFZ acknowledges these transactions, it maintains that the current iPhone dispute is a separate matter. The association claims the Xiaomi phones purchased through Best Press were intended to support grassroots football development.
The scale of the alleged iPhone purchases – 34,000 units – far exceeds the number of Xiaomi phones distributed, fueling suspicions of impropriety. Topky.sk reports that the companies involved claim to have delivery protocols confirming the iPhones were delivered directly to the SFZ headquarters.
What’s Next?
The SFZ is now facing multiple legal challenges and a suspension of state funding. The outcome of the lawsuits will likely determine the financial future of the association. Further investigation is expected to focus on the validity of the alleged guarantees signed by Ján Kováčik and the ultimate destination of the iPhones. The case highlights the importance of transparency and accountability within sporting organizations and raises serious questions about the SFZ’s financial management. The situation remains fluid, and the coming weeks will be critical in determining the full extent of the damage and the path forward for Slovak football.
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