--- title: "Lithuanian football referee association addresses controversial decisions in Žalgiris Džiugas match" date: 2026-08-29T09:03:41Z lang: en author: "Janis Vitols" canonical: https://balticfootballnews.com/lithuanian-football-referee-association-addresses-controversial-decisions-in-zalgiris-dziugas-match/ categories: ["Toplyga"] --- # Lithuanian football referee association addresses controversial decisions in Žalgiris Džiugas match _by Kristupas Kamarauskas_ **After last Thursday’s Toplyga match between the bronze medalists and the representatives of the Samogitian capital, referee Kęstutis Bartuškevičius and his controversial calls became the main story of the game. The aftermath of the match left Džiugas defender Bacary Sané with a season-ending injury and right-back Valentino Vermeulen sent off with a red card.** #### **Handball Appeal in the 53rd Minute** The first major talking point occurred in the 53rd minute inside the Žalgiris Vilnius penalty box. After Džiugas left-back Jakub Wawszczyk crossed the ball into the area, Žalgiris defensive midfielder Yuri Kendysh attempted to head it clear. However, the ball appeared to hit the hand of his teammate, Danny Koy Lupano. The incident sparked heavy debate over an unawarded penalty to Džiugas, which – with Žalgiris holding a slim 1-0 lead – would have been a pivotal moment in the match. ![](https://i0.wp.com/balticfootballnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/image_2026-08-27_211125274-1.webp?resize=1024%2C616&ssl=1) In the latest episode of “Teisėjų akimis” (“Through the Eyes of the Referees”), Lithuanian Football Referee Association President Sergėjus Slyva and referee inspector Gediminas Mažeika reviewed the week’s controversial incidents. Slyva explained that while the situation was impossible to judge from the main TV angle, secondary footage cleared up the confusion: after bouncing off Kendysh’s head, the ball ricocheted onto Lupano’s shoulder. Slyva added that when a ball deflects directly off a teammate, it is generally not considered a handball offense. However, he admitted that the referee’s uncertain body language did not help ease doubts on the field. #### **Dangerous Elbow Incident in the 67th Minute** Controversy erupted again in the 67th minute with Žalgiris still leading 1-0. Left winger Matas Vareika struck Džiugas defender Bacary Sané in the face with his elbow during a challenge, but the referee did not call a foul. Reviewing the play, Sergėjus Slyva stated unequivocally that it was a foul deserving at least a yellow card, noting that the referee was out of position. While camera angles made it difficult to determine whether there was additional follow-through motion, both Slyva and Mažeika agreed Vareika was looking at the ball rather than intentionally targeting Sané. However, they emphasized that when jumping into a challenge, raising an elbow turns it into a dangerous weapon. Following the match, Vareika apologized to Sané, who had to undergo a complex three-hour cheekbone surgery. Sané’s season is now over, and he faces approximately three months of recovery. #### **Red Card and Post-Match Conduct in the 84th Minute** The final moment reviewed from the match came in the 84th minute when FC Džiugas right-back Valentino Vermeulen, who had only been substituted on 23 minutes earlier, received a second yellow card for another harsh foul. His conduct following the ejection drew further criticism: Vermeulen repeatedly patted the referee on the back before getting into a confrontation with Žalgiris defensive midfielder Ivan Lytvynenko. Inspector Gediminas Mažeika compared the behavior to something out of a “Sunday League,” while Džiugas head coach Andrius Lipskis described the player as “difficult to coach” in his post-match press conference. Vermeulen is expected to receive a multi-match suspension. FK Žalgiris ultimately secured a 2-0 victory. #### **Other Controversies Reviewed in “Teisėjų akimis”** FK Hegelmann vs. Gargždų Banga (1-1): Referee Egidijus Amšiejus awarded a 70th-minute penalty to Banga after goalkeeper Lukas Paukštė brought down winger Misaki Sato. However, both Slyva and Mažeika ruled that the penalty should not have stood. Just before Paukštė’s challenge, Sato had committed a hard foul on Hegelmann defender Nathan Silva that warranted a yellow card. Slyva attributed the mistake to a breakdown in communication among the refereeing team. Banga’s hot prospect Valdas Magdušauskas ultimately missed the spot-kick. FK Transinvest vs. FA Šiauliai (3-0): In a match refereed by Dovydas Švėgžda, Šiauliai substitute Patrikas Pranckus received a direct red card in the 54th minute, just nine minutes after coming on at halftime. Similar to the Vareika incident, Pranckus used his elbow in a challenge. However, both Sergėjus Slyva and Gediminas Mažeika noted that secondary contact was present, escalating the offense to an immediate straight red card. **Source:** [https://online.futbolas.tv/lt/watch/teiseju-akimis-26?playlist=naujienos](https://online.futbolas.tv/lt/watch/teiseju-akimis-26?playlist=naujienos)