2019 LFF I Lyga explained

Competition:I Lyga
Season:2019
Prevseason:2018
Nextseason:2020

The 2019 LFF I Lyga was the 30th season of the I Lyga, the second tier association football league of Lithuania. The season began on 22 March 2019 and finished in 27 October 2019.

Licensing process

The Lithuanian Football Federation initially granted applications for 2019 LFF I Lyga licenses: [1] FK Banga Gargždai, FK Nevėžis, FC Pakruojis, FC Džiugas, Žalgiris B, Stumbras B, Riteriai B (Trakai B).

After the appeal, on 28 February 2019 Lithuanian Football Federation granted licenses[2] to FK Vilnius (Baltijos Futbolo Akademija), FK Minija Kretinga, DFK Dainava, Vilniaus Vytis, FK Atmosfera (2012), FC Hegelmann Litauen.

The final decision on the number of teams in 2019 LFF I Lyga was made by the Lithuanian Football Federation executive committee meeting on 15 March 2019.[3] Exceptions were applied to FK Jonava (financial criteria were not met), FC Kupiškis (sporting criteria were not met) and FA Šiauliai (legal criteria were not met) and the teams were allowed to start in the 2019 LFF I Lyga championship, pending criteria to be met by June. The 16 team championship started on 22 March 2019.

The applications for the 2019 LFF I Lyga licenses were also received from FK Sveikata Kybartai, FM Ateitis and FK NFA but licenses were not granted. FK Utenis Utena shareholders voted to withdraw from participation in 2019 LFF I Lyga, and the club will participate in 2019 LFF II Lyga. FK Koralas Klaipėda was dissolved in 2018.

Team Town Stadium Capacity Notes
Jonavos miesto stadionas 1,400 Relegated from A Lyga. Granted participation by exception
Gargždų miesto stadionas 3,250
Alytaus miesto stadionas 4,000
Telšių miesto centrinis stadionas 3,000
Kėdainių miesto centrinis stadionas 3,000
Pakruojo miesto stadionas 2,000
LFF stadionas 5,400 Renamed from Trakai B
NFA stadionas 1,000
Savivaldybės stadionas 9,125 Granted participation by exception
LFF stadionas 5,400
Fabijoniškių stadionas 340 Renamed from Baltijos Futbolo Akademija
LFF stadionas 5,400
Kupiškio miesto stadionas 1,000 Relegated from I Lyga, but granted participation by exception
Mažeikių miesto stadionas 2,500 Promoted from II Lyga
NFA stadionas 1,000 Promoted from II Lyga
Kretingos miesto stadionas 1,000 Promoted from II Lyga
Withdrew from participation in I Lyga
Dissolved as part of NFA restructuring
Dissolved in 2018

Participants

Final standings

After FC Stumbras ran into financial difficulties in June the Lithuania Football Federation made a decision to withdraw their license from A lyga, and Stumbras B from I lyga.

FC Džiugas Telšiai earned promotion to A lyga, subject to meeting licensing criteria. FK Banga Gargždai earned a play-off with A lyga 7th placed FK Palanga.

Top scorers

PlayerTeamGoals
1–2. José Luis BalantaDFK Dainava19
1–2. Evaldas KugysNevėžis Kėdainiai19
3. Mantas MakutunovičiusVilniaus Vytis17

Notes and References

  1. Web site: LFF I lygos licencijos suteiktos septyniems klubams ir komandoms. LFF.lt.
  2. Web site: I lygos licencijos suteiktos dar šešiems klubams. LFF.lt.
  3. Web site: VK posėdyje – sprendimai dėl I lygos dalyvių skaičiaus. LFF.lt.