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Lithuania supports people who have rebelled in Belarus in various ways.
On August 23, tens of thousands of people joined Freedom Road, historical Belarusian flags were raised in many places in Vilnius and other cities, and Lithuanian leaders do not recognize Alexander Lukashenko as the legitimate president of the country.
However, the Lithuanian Football Federation (LFF) and its leaders do not report to the country’s government, but to the governing body of European football, UEFA, so they do not think of actions to support Belarus during the match.
“Supporting actions have not been considered as UEFA bans political interference,” 15 minutes said LFF Secretary General Edgaras Stankevičius. “We immediately rejected this option and we are planning a match without all these things.”
Supporting actions have not been considered as UEFA prohibits policy interference.
The LFF is based on the UEFA Discipline Protocol, in which provocative political actions in the stadium are listed in the same offense table when fans rush onto the pitch, throw objects at players, laser train to the eyes of the footballers or various messages based on ideological, religious or insulting motives.
National associations face sanctions from UEFA for this, so the LFF did not intend to negotiate with the European Football Management Organization on a possible support action for Belarus; he was already aware of the consequences of such action.
“Inside (we made that decision, aut.), Because we know that UEFA is against politics and all those actions. There have been cases of this type more than once, but now, due to lack of time, we don’t think of political and supportive actions and we abandon those thoughts, ”said E. Stankevičius.
Photo by Ernesta Čičiurkaitė / 15min / Eddaras Stankevičius
It is true that one of the LFF leaders could not answer the question of what specific sanctions the federation would face if a political message were sent to people seeking freedom in Belarus.
According to E. Stankevičius, the amount and nature of the punishment would depend on the treatment of the violation. According to UEFA regulations, penalties are likely to be expressed in monetary terms and / or in a certain number of matches for the Lithuanian team without spectators.
“Various sanctions are envisaged, but it is not clear how they would be treated, depending on which violation.” As is the case with spectators entering the square, it is decided according to the general action and circumstances, sometimes there are lower fines, sometimes higher, said E. Stankevičius, recalling in 2019. in the case of September, when a Plunge soccer fan crashed into the LFF stadium and Portugal’s star Cristiano Ronaldo was hugged. LFF was fined 10,000 for this. quantity. “In this case, it would depend on what kind of party, what political area, etc. I really couldn’t name a specific fine.”
Luke April / Photo 15min / Lithuanian view Cristiano Ronaldo did not get angry
After the break, spectators will already be able to participate in Lithuania’s match with Belarus.
Last week, UEFA changed the order of matches in the face of a coronavirus pandemic and allowed federations to fill up to 30 percent in stadiums. provided that this does not conflict with the COVID-19 prevention policy followed by national governments.
Upon hearing the news, LFF apparently released 1,200 tickets for sale, of which about half, or about 600 tickets, were redeemed on Friday.
However, the supporters of the Belarusian freedom fighters will not be able to express their support for the fans who watch the match in the stadium.
“It would be the same sanctions that would fall on the federation. It would be the same as in the event that the spectator ran into the square,” added E. Stankevičius.
Likewise, there would be sanctions that would fall on the federation.
According to the LFF general secretary, the stadium will be closely monitored to ensure fans do not bring or display prohibited symbols, including UEFA with political spice. In this case, the historic flags of Belarus, which have become a hallmark of protesters in the neighboring country.
“One thing is that there is a security inspector who is in constant contact with the police, who will work on the event. (Inspector – aut.) He also communicates with UEFA, which approves the list of possible symbols that can be in the match and the list of prohibited symbols in each match, which the referees take into account, ”explained E. Stankevičius.
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15 minutes When asked if he had discussed possible actions with the Government of Lithuania or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before the match with the Belarusian team, E. Stankevičius shook his head.
“No, definitely not. UEFA guides us and makes it clear that there should be no political things in this place. The most important thing for us is to play this match. We ourselves understand the general context of what is happening in the sport and there are those called (coronavirus – aut.) Cases in our camp, so our desire is to play the League of Nations matches and make them come true, ”said one of the LFF leaders.
We are guided by UEFA, and she makes it clear that there should be no political things in this place.
It is true that, unlike Lithuanian football leaders, Belarusian football leaders do not shy away from politics.
Vladimir Bazanov, president of the Belarusian Football Federation, urged citizens of the country not to “confuse sports and politics” in the wake of the protests, but soon took part in a rally to support Lukashenko.
Mikhail Marhel, the head coach of the Belarusian national team, who participated in Lukashenko’s inauguration ceremony, did not distance himself from politics on Sunday night.
„Scanpix“ nuotr./Michailas Marhelis
However, UEFA does not react to such personal steps by Belarusian football leaders, and E. Stankevičius did not learn of any steps from the European football governing body towards Belarusians.
“I’ve really lost contact with UEFA lately, and the last time I saw him live was in March, when trips were available. I also lost communication or found out,” said the LFF General Secretary.
Lithuanian-Belarusian match of UEFA Nations League Division C Sunday night will start at 7pm. In November, these teams will also play retaliatory matches, when the Lithuanians will have to go to Minsk, which is in crisis.
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