Zalgiris pay the penalty

Lithuanian side FK Zalgiris Vilnius have been awarded a technical defeat after failing to show up for a league game at the weekend.

Game abandoned
Zalgiris players refused to travel to face FBK Kaunas on Saturday and the game had to be abandoned. The Lithuanian Football Federation (LFF) has reacted by awarding Zalgiris a 3-0 technical defeat as the problems at the once legendary Lithuanian club continue to mount.

Wage issue
Zalgiris officials initially told the press that their team bus has broken down on the way to Kaunas, however later it was revealed that most of the first-team players had refused to travel. The reason for the unprecedented move is wages, which have been unpaid for several months now. However, the LFF have made it clear they have not received any official complaints from Zalgiris players on the matter.

Three players sacked
Zalgiris chairman Janusas Loputis has been quick to react, announcing yesterday that he is firing three players, who allegedly incited the walkout. Midfield player Giedrius Barevicius, who has scored 13 goals this season, and the Belarussian duo of Aleksandr Davidovich and Evgeni Zhuk have all been sacked.

Another no-show?
Despite this, there are reports that several players are still refusing to play. According to LFF regulations, a team which fails to show up for two league games in one season, is automatically expelled from the league. Zalgiris' next league game is in Marijampole against FK Suduva.

Club up for sale
However Loputis insists Zalgiris will travel to Marijampole to avoid expulsion from the league. “We have many young players available, and Zalgiris will finish this championship," he said. However, he also revealed that he is looking for a buyer for the club which he bought in 1995, saving it from going into administration.