Latvian defender Artūrs Ļotčikovs has spoken out after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) overturned a 12-month ban issued by the Latvian Football Federation (LFF), describing the last two years as “a fight for justice.”
Ļotčikovs was accused of match-fixing in October 2023 while playing for Dinamo Riga in Latvia’s second division. After a brief interview with the LFF—without legal representation or a formal trial—he was handed a one-year ban and a fine. CAS later ruled there was no evidence he had manipulated the match.
“From the first minute I walked in, they told me I was guilty,” said Ļotčikovs, who had represented Latvia at youth level up to U-21. “There was no fair process.”
Despite the CAS ruling, Ļotčikovs received no compensation for lost time or legal fees. He spent much of the ban playing abroad, first in Italy and then Cyprus, but said the LFF attempted to block his ability to sign with new clubs internationally.
“They tried to stop me even from playing outside Latvia,” he explained. “For someone who came through the national team system, it was hard to understand.”
With the support of FIFPRO, Ļotčikovs successfully appealed but continues to seek full exoneration through Latvian courts after the LFF declined a legal hearing.
“For them, it’s nothing—just another case. But for me, it’s two years of my life,” said Ļotčikovs. “There needs to be accountability. Federations shouldn’t be allowed to act without consequences.”
Ļotčikovs is now using his case to raise awareness of how easily football federations can impose bans without due process—and the personal toll it can take on players.
Source: https://fifpro.org/en/supporting-players/obtaining-justice/governance-and-representation/banned-for-a-year-but-later-cleared-of-match-fixing-why-arturs-lotcikovs-story-exposes-the-flaws-in-football-s-judicial-system
