The LFF and “Garliava” team, which got together because of the war refugees from Ukraine, found a peaceful solution

“Let’s put aside all personalities, the political situation and the situation we’ve come to. The federation, the children’s and youth football association and the club could have solved it earlier. Communication errors were made and I acknowledge that.

I think Garliava was satisfied with this meeting because we disclosed the information we have about the individuals of this club. As heated as the conversation was, in the end we came away satisfied and a decision was made to help a youth affected by the war in Ukraine who wants to play football.

We cannot change the regulations in the middle of the season. We can discuss certain points. It won’t happen next season and that bad experience turned out to be good”, said LFF president Edgaras Stankevičius after the meeting.

We remind you that FK “Garliava” decided to withdraw from the U18 championship a little earlier, because the regulation does not allow more than three foreigners to be on the field at the same time. The club’s academy has sheltered 8 young football players who fled the war in Ukraine and although they knew the regulation, they still violated it. According to the club, equating war refugees from Ukraine with legionnaires is not correct.

Having recognized this, the LFF promises to change this point of the regulation from next season, and now they have found a solution with the club – FK “Garliava” will compete in the B division of the II League, and will not return to the U18 championship.

“We evaluate the meeting positively. We found a common solution. We thank the federation for the frank conversation. Two things were important to us. It’s a pity that the U18 season is over, but in three weeks we will start in the B division of the II League. From next year, the federation promised that Ukrainian minors with refugee status will be considered Lithuanians,” said team leader Henrikas Grigas.

Retired from the championship

“Even at the end of last year, we were happy to share the news that we had found an opportunity to welcome young Ukrainians fleeing the war and seeking asylum into our club.

Then the legal guardian of the boys approached the FKG club for opportunities and help in providing the young people with the conditions to further develop and improve in football, learn and integrate into a fulfilling life. Thanks to the efforts of our partners and sponsors, the boys arrived in the city of Garliava, where they successfully integrated into the local community and were able to continue not only their favorite sport, but also integrate into educational institutions and thus not forget science and improve social skills.

The boys received full support from the entire club community – teammates, coaches, parents of the academy, partners and fans,” the Garliava club announces.

According to the organization, the situation changed in June last year.

“The Lithuanian Children’s and Youth Education Football Association was concerned that there were too many foreigners playing in the youth championships and therefore adopted a decision that established the requirement to apply the limit of legionnaires in children’s football – no more than 3 foreigners.

This undoubtedly affected our club and further development of Ukrainian youths with us. Also, well into the middle of the championship, the LFF Disciplinary Committee contacted us, informing us that all previous matches are cancelled,” the club’s statement reads.

The board of the “Garliavas” club made a decision to withdraw from the U18 Elite Junior League championships.

“It is disappointing that the club failed to find a way out and solutions in cooperation with the LFF in this situation, we disappointed both the Ukrainian guys and the Lithuanians who played together in the same team.