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We present an article from the newspaper "Lietuvos rytas" about the situation in Lithuanian football.
The mud of the country's football mundane is again stirred by scandalous scandals. At the request of prosecutors, the Kaunas District Court this year suspended (or appointed) Lithuanian Football Federation President J.Kvedaras, elected just half a year ago, from office.
As expected in such a situation, rumors immediately started spreading that in defending the leader of Lithuanian football and their interests in Lithuania, international football institutions would strike the country's national teams and clubs with draconian sanctions - prohibiting them from participating in important competitions.
Truth be told, for many football fans, only this part of the story matters. They are not particularly interested in J. Kvedaras and his affairs. Or they are interested only as much as they are related to football.
But this time, the affairs of the President of the Lithuanian Football Federation seem to interest the prosecutor's office. It doesn't ring a bell?
Something similar happened about twelve years ago: first - the investigation of financial documents of the federation under the leadership of V. Dirmeikis, then - fierce struggles over the vacant president's seat, delegates of the Lithuanian Football Federation conference secured by radiators, elections, a new football leader.
A similar scenario, maybe without the radiators - after all, different times and customs - could be expected this time as well.
Former president of the federation L. Varanavicius was the first to rush to calm down the Lithuanian football community due to alleged impending sanctions; it is probably not a coincidence.
However one looks at it, his removal from office should be beneficial to J. Kvedaras.
As the former leader of the Lithuanian Football Federation himself says, there will be no need for strict intervention from international structures, as the country's football community will be able to solve its own problems and choose appropriate leadership. Between the lines, one can also read: they will be able to choose L. Varanavicius.
The former federation leader knows what he's talking about. FIFA or UEFA intervention in the Lithuanian football drama will probably not happen.
International football institutions dislike intruders, such as high-ranking officials from one state or another, poking their noses into their affairs. And what is happening in Lithuania at the moment, from FIFA and UEFA's perspective, is just a storm in a teacup, with local football players hitting each other. It is probably known to the football world leaders.
Therefore, it can be assumed that influential foreigners will allow Lithuanians to figure out for themselves what is most important in their sandbox. In a democratic world, all processes should unfold like this.
It would be entirely different if a third force suddenly appeared in this game. But there is none in Lithuania.
Former Vice President of the Lithuanian Football Federation G. Babravicius or Seimas member A. Sacharukas, who is already finishing his term, could try to take advantage of the situation. However, the former was already entangled around J. Kvedaras' finger during this year's federation president elections, and the latter's little weight in the backstage games of football players was evidenced by the miserable failure of the Vilnius "Reo" project.
Realistically evaluating the scenarios of further events, there could be two.
The first: pressed by threatening suspicions of illegal enrichment and links to criminal circles, J. Kvedaras will withstand the attacks of law enforcement (you could say - of contenders for the most honorable place at the football feast) and everything will remain as before.
The second: the current country's football leader will not withstand the pressure, and after free, democratic elections, L. Varanavicius will return to the post.
By the way, the latter still manages to joke, convincing that for ten years he was sitting in the president's chair of the Lithuanian Football Federation, he could only guess from vague clues about his closest colleagues' connections with criminals, as well as about the financial scandals of former teammates.
It is impossible to predict whether J. Kvedaras could become the first Lithuanian football leader to end up behind bars. V. Dirmeikis, who became famous in the mayonnaise business, managed to avoid prison.
As for L. Varanavicius, he could become the first figure to lose power in the federation and then regain it.
However, the current noise surrounding J. Kvedaras is unlikely to be the beginning of a Lithuanian football revolution. At best, all this could be called a reshuffling of power.
It is definitely not worth expecting an explosion after which normal stadiums will start rising in major cities, the A league will start overtaking the English "Premier" league or the Italian "Serie A" in huge strides, or the Lithuanian national team will start to compete for medals at European or world championships, or at least a place in the final matches of these football celebrations.
Most likely, the football river will continue to flow in its usual course. In Lithuania and especially in the world.
It's simple - the power of the sports king and the normal order cannot be shaken by the decisions of the courts of Kaunas, or any courts in Sekesfehervar or Tombouctou.
