The Lithuanian Football Federation (LFF) has announced that the upcoming international friendly between Lithuania and Israel, scheduled to take place at the Darius and Girėnas Stadium in Kaunas, will be played behind closed doors for security reasons.
“It is always a celebration for us and our fans whenever the national team plays at home,” said LFF president Edgaras Stankevičius in an official statement. “This time, however, the decision was extremely difficult. After extensive discussions with the police and public security authorities, we were informed about planned protests on the day of the match, and we want to make sure that they do not spill over into the stadium.”
The federation emphasized that the fixture had sparked mixed reactions within the country’s football community, particularly after calls appeared online urging supporters to boycott the game. Even among members of the ‘Vyčio tribūna’ – Lithuania’s most passionate fan group – opinions were divided, and the federation noted that an organized supporters’ section was unlikely to be present regardless. Fans who had purchased tickets will be able to receive refunds.
Following the Thursday match against Israel, Edgaras Jankauskas’s side will travel to Amsterdam, where they will conclude their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign on November 17 against the Netherlands.
Despite a challenging 2025 on the pitch, the LFF praised the “incredible” fan support throughout the qualifying campaign, noting that Lithuania’s home games in Kaunas attracted an average attendance of 11,200 spectators.
Source: https://www.lff.lt/rungtynes-tarp-lietuvos-ir-izraelio-futbolo-rinktiniu-be-ziurovu/
