Chair of the Committee on Budget and Finance Mykolas Majauskas said the decision would help achieve the long-awaited changes LFF.
“Striving for fundamental changes, UEFA’s direct rule is needed or, with UEFA’s approval, the Lithuanian government could take action to appoint a temporary regulator, carry out an independent activity and financial audit, amend statutes and hold new democratic elections of the Federation’s bodies,” Majauskas told the news agency ELTA.
For years, the LFF has faced criticism over the lack of transparency and influence of the underworld on football.
In November 2020, the Lithuanian Parliament unanimously adopted a resolution on transparency of the LFF, noting that the biggest problems with transparency were posed by the influence of the criminal world on football, as well as by the closed and opaque management structure. The resolution also stated that the LFF adopted decisions behind closed doors and did not publish annual budget reports, raising doubt as to how money was spent.
Parliament then also recommended to the Government to address international football associations, UEFA and FIFA, so they would carry out international audits and examine how the LFF spends funds. The Government was urged to engage in an active dialogue with the UEFA and FIFA to ensure that only people of impeccable reputation would lead the LFF.
