© EuroFootball.com
The Lithuanian Football Federation has released a statement claiming that Giedrius Arlauskis has declined the invitation to the national team.
According to the letter, on March 7, the LFF sent an official request to Kazan's Rubin club, stating that the footballer G. Arlauskis, representing the mentioned club, is invited to the national team's friendly match Lithuania-Poland and the UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying match Lithuania-Spain.
The letter asks the club to allow G. Arlauskis to attend the national team's training camp, which will take place in Marijampolė on March 21 of this year. It also specifies that urgent confirmation is expected regarding the player's release from the club for the period of March 21-30.
After sending the request to the club, the administrator of the Lithuanian national team, Leonas Mickus, spoke with G. Arlauskis over the phone and informed him about this invitation. The player responded that he does not intend to come.
After this conversation, the goalkeeper coach of the Lithuanian national team, Audrius Ramonas, contacted the player. The player said he injured his shoulder and may need surgery. A. Ramonas asked G. Arlauskis to send an official letter from the club doctor confirming the player's words.
So far, neither a response from the club to the request sent by the LFF, nor confirmation from the club doctor regarding G. Arlauskis' injury, have been received.
If G. Arlauskis does not arrive at the national team's training camp by March 21 or does not send an official document justifying the reason for his absence, the Lithuanian Football Federation will consider the possibility of appealing to FIFA for the player's disqualification.
