Belarusian Football Team Uses Lithuania: Institutions Explain
- Belarusian football authorities deliberately misled Lithuanian institutions regarding the intended route and purpose of a team transport in advance of a UEFA Euro 2025 qualifying match against Andorra...
- This deception prompted a formal response from Lithuanian authorities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Security Department, who have initiated an investigation into the incident.
- Belarus is currently subject to international sanctions following it's support of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Belarusian Football Team Exploited Lithuanian infrastructure for Qualifying Match
Table of Contents
Updated September 11, 2025, 11:41 AM
Circumstances of the Incident
Belarusian football authorities deliberately misled Lithuanian institutions regarding the intended route and purpose of a team transport in advance of a UEFA Euro 2025 qualifying match against Andorra on September 9, 2025. The team initially requested permission to transit through Lithuania en route to Spain,stating thay would travel by bus. Though, the actual travel plan involved a private plane landing at Vilnius International Airport, utilizing Lithuanian airspace and airport facilities, before continuing to Spain.
This deception prompted a formal response from Lithuanian authorities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Security Department, who have initiated an investigation into the incident. The Lithuanian government views the actions as a purposeful attempt to circumvent sanctions and perhaps test the country’s security protocols.
Why the Deception Matters
Belarus is currently subject to international sanctions following it’s support of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. These sanctions include restrictions on air travel. By misrepresenting their travel arrangements, the Belarusian football team sought to avoid these restrictions and utilize Lithuanian infrastructure for their journey. This raises concerns about potential violations of international law and the integrity of the sanctions regime.
lithuanian officials have emphasized that while they are committed to sporting principles and facilitating legitimate travel, they will not tolerate attempts to exploit their infrastructure for purposes that undermine their national security or international obligations. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges of enforcing sanctions and the need for vigilance in monitoring cross-border movements.
Official Responses and Investigations
The Lithuanian ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned the Belarusian ambassador to provide explanations for the incident. The State Security Department is conducting a thorough investigation to determine the full extent of the deception and identify any potential security risks. The Lithuanian Football Federation has also been informed of the situation and is cooperating with the investigation.
While UEFA has not yet issued a formal statement, the incident is likely to be reviewed to determine if any breaches of UEFA regulations occurred. The outcome of the Lithuanian investigation could influence any potential disciplinary action taken by UEFA.