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Following Minsk’s horrific actions in Minsk to force a plane to land with opposition activist Roman Protasevich on Sunday, the LFF will appeal to UEFA to cancel a control meeting in the Belarusian capital.
“We have said in the past that we separate sport from politics, but recent events are forcing changes in perceptions and decisions about the situation. We will meet with UEFA representatives this week to discuss the possibility of canceling this match. We cannot. doing it alone requires UEFA approval. I think UEFA is understanding enough, it is watching events and this match will not take place, “commented LFF General Secretary Edgaras Stankevičius.
“It is difficult to imagine that such things can happen in the 21st century. We were already in Minsk last November, we saw that the situation was hot. There was not much desire to walk around the city somewhere, we did not even get permission to leave the hostel .
We try to focus on football, but obviously the situation there is not normal. Yesterday’s events show that the further away, the more surprises to expect. And don’t react to those events. Of course, the match is scheduled for November only, a long way off. But I think we will definitely find another competitor, and if not, it is better not to play at all than to maintain sports relations with a country where such things happen, ”added Lithuanian national team strategist Valdas Urbonas.
LFF also cancels on June 8. the planned control duel of the youth team (under 21 years) in Minsk with their local teammates.
“It would be too risky to travel there, to put the national team, the players at risk,” said E. Stankevičius.
He stated that he would try to find other rivals for the Lithuanians, although it would not be an easy task.
“There will not be many options, everyone’s calendars are already formed, but we will look for solutions,” said one of the LFF executives.
Last fall, the Lithuanian and Belarusian teams fought in a UEFA Nations Cup group; then after the match in Vilnius (2: 2), some spectators complained that the protection did not allow them to carry the historic red and white Belarusian flag, which is considered a symbol of President Alexander Lukashenko.
The LFF representatives then explained that the UAFA had recommended such an attitude.
The retaliation in Minsk ended with a 2: 0 victory for the hosts.
The defender ends his career in the national team
On Monday, V. Urbonas also announced the composition of the team for the Baltic Cup matches with Estonia (June 1) and Latvia (June 4) and for the control match with the Spanish team (June 8).
“The Baltic Cup has deep traditions and prestige, that’s why we want to win it. This will be followed by a friendly match with the Spanish, occasions like those that happen to us often. I am glad that the leaders have found the opportunity to agree on this match. Although we are not participating in the European Championship, it will be very good to send such a team “, commented V. Urbonas about the upcoming challenges.
The coach reported that defender Mindaugas Palionis, 34, is ending his career in the national team and wished him success at Regensburg’s SSV Jahn club, which competes in the German second division.
Due to a knee injury, this time there will be no Vykintas Slivka, due to a broken toe: Modesto Vorobyov.
Rookies Titas Krapikas and Lukas Paukštė, defender Sigitas Olberkis, defender Linas Mėgelaitis and Karolis Šilkaitis, forward Edgaras Dubickas received invitations for the national team.
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