Czech FA appoints new chief to end long-drawn crisis

Prague - The Czech Football Association (FACR) has picked its new chairperson at a general meeting on Tuesday, ending a months-long impasse following the arrest of his predecessor.

Martin Malik, the 47-year-old head of the FACR's marketing company STES, earned 175 out of 202 votes to take the chairperson's seat, beating former FACR secretary general Petr Fousek.

The FACR found itself in turmoil when its previous head Miroslav Pelta was arrested and charged in connection with the embezzlement of public money in early May, along with two civil servants including a deputy education minister.

The scandal hit Czech football hard as the top flight's main sponsor quit the sport.

Pelta resigned from behind bars in early June, only days after a general meeting had failed to elect his successor, leaving the FACR in the hands of two deputy chairpersons.

Before Tuesday's vote, UEFA vice-president Grigoriy Surkis ordered the FACR to change its articles of association by next June to avoid stalemates when electing its head.

He also threatened the FIFA and UEFA might take the FACR over if it fails to comply.