The president of the Latvian Virslīga (LFV), Maksims Krivuņecs, has expressed strong concerns regarding the recent decision by the Latvian Football Federation (LFF) to increase foreign player registration fees without prior consultation with Virslīga representatives or clubs. The change raises the fee to €8,000 per player, eliminating the previous progressive system that charged €3,000 for the first eight players and €8,000 for each additional player.
Krivuņecs, who has led Virslīga since December 2017, emphasized that the decision undermines stability and transparency in Latvian football governance. He criticized the LFF board for failing to engage in dialogue with stakeholders before implementing such a significant policy change, which he believes could negatively affect the league’s development and the competitiveness of smaller clubs.
“Don’t Change What Works”
“Over the years, we have implemented numerous successful projects that have driven the growth of Virslīga and increased its international competitiveness, this progress is reflected in data, such as a 29% improvement in the Euro Club Index (ECI) since 2019, making us the fastest-developing league in our comparison group. However, the recent fee increase risks undoing this progress by financially burdening smaller clubs and restricting their ability to recruit quality foreign talent.”
Impact on Smaller Clubs
Krivuņecs highlighted that the previous system allowed smaller clubs to develop local talent while using foreign players to strengthen key positions. “The progressive fee structure balanced the interests of large and small clubs, enabling sustainable growth and competitive balance, this new system will force smaller clubs to reduce foreign player recruitment, weakening competitiveness and harming player development pathways.”
Youth Development at Risk
According to Krivuņecs, the reforms jeopardize youth development programs that have shown promising results. “In 2024, players under 22 years old accounted for 45% of total playing time in Virslīga, one of the highest rates in Europe. This success stems from a model that combines foreign talent with local development. The new fees threaten to disrupt this balance and slow down the progress we’ve achieved.”
Call for Transparency
Krivuņecs demanded that the LFF provide data and justifications for its decision. “This decision lacks transparency and does not reflect modern governance standards. With a budget of €15 million, the LFF must explain why additional funds are required from clubs and how these funds will be used to support football development.”
Moving Forward
The LFV president urged the LFF to reconsider the changes and re-engage with clubs to find a sustainable solution. “We need policies that support long-term development rather than imposing sudden financial burdens. I call on the LFF board to revisit this decision and work collaboratively with stakeholders to ensure Latvian football continues to grow.”
Baltic Football News has previously released an analysis of the impact that this change is likely to have on Latvian football.