This week’s friendly match between the Lithuanian and Israeli men’s national football teams at the Darius and Girėnas Stadium in Kaunas will be played behind closed doors to ensure safety.
“Today, a decision was made to hold the match behind closed doors and no spectators will be allowed into the match,” Lithuanian Football Federation President Edgaras Stankevičius told a press conference on Monday.
The decision was made after consultations with security services, municipal representatives and the Lithuanian national team’s fans, he noted.
However, Stankevičius added, an official Israeli delegation of about 50 people will attend the match Thursday night.
Opinions among the fans were divided, the federation president said, and the decision to bar spectators from the match was made to avoid potential clashes.
The authorities of Kaunas, Lithuania’s second biggest city, issued a permit to hold a protest before Thursday’s match.
People who have purchased tickets for the game will get their money back, Stankevičius said.
Newsletter
Every Friday morning.
