© žiūrovo
The Lithuanian Football Federation received an official UEFA assessment regarding the draft law registered in the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania "On direct management of the Lithuanian Football Federation," which was presented to the initiators of the draft law by FIFA and UEFA. According to the evaluation of international football organizations, of which the Lithuanian Football Federation is a member, the adoption of such a law constitutes a violation of the statutes of FIFA and UEFA, which could lead to direct consequences for Lithuanian football:
- Suspension of participation of national teams in FIFA and UEFA organized tournaments;
- Suspension of Lithuanian football clubs' participation in FIFA and UEFA organized tournaments;
- Suspension of the powers of the Lithuanian Football Federation as a member of FIFA and UEFA;
- Termination of FIFA and UEFA financial assistance to Lithuanian football;
"International football organizations informed representatives of the Lithuanian Football Federation last night that the interference of some Lithuanian politicians in the activities of an independent football federation is unequivocally perceived as a violation of the statutes of FIFA and UEFA, which will have direct negative consequences for all of Lithuanian football - both national teams and Lithuanian football clubs. Representatives of international football organizations once again warned Lithuanian football representatives that the adoption of such a bill initiated by members of the Seimas will inevitably result in the suspension of Lithuanian football clubs and national teams in international arenas, as well as the termination of all funding for Lithuanian football coming from these organizations. International football organizations would take these actions immediately.
On the other hand, I want to emphasize that, in the opinion of the Lithuanian football community, football governance is exclusively a matter for the football community itself, but any changes should be made based solely on the agreement of the football community. The LFF operates a special working group for the improvement of the best governance practices, meetings with all interested politicians and institutional representatives are planned, and in October, the Lithuanian football community forum will take place, where the most important issues will be addressed. I am convinced that constructive discussion is the only way to achieve the goals of Lithuanian football," - said the President of the Lithuanian Football Federation, Tomas Danilevičius.
