FK Riga refuses to play RFS derby, accuses referees and federation

FK Riga announced it will not take the field for the scheduled derby against RFS, escalating a bitter end to the Latvian season after RFS clinched the title last round. The club framed the decision as a protest against what it calls repeated refereeing errors and a lack of response from the national federation.

Protest announced ahead of the Riga derby

RFS secured the championship already in the previous round, reportedly building an unassailable six-point advantage over their fierce rival and the reigning champions, FK Riga. On the eve of the highly anticipated fixture RFS–FK Riga, the latter published an official statement declaring it would refuse to play.

FK Riga's statement said: "We regret that we must decide on such a move. We will not play the RFS match as a sign of protest for everything that happened to us during the season. We reacted many times but the federation, which did not condemn the referees' mistakes that were to our detriment and in favor of RFS. They are responsible for their title."

The announcement means the Latvian campaign will end on a controversial note, with the possibility of sporting sanctions now unclear. FK Riga currently sits 10 points ahead of second-placed Auda in the standings; the club warned that, if handed the maximum 12-point penalty, it could finish the season third.

The developments are particularly sensitive for supporters in North Macedonia after FK Riga eliminated Macedonian champion Vardar in summer qualifying for the UEFA Conference League. The story also notes that KuPS, the Finnish side Vardar faced in the first qualifying round of the Champions League, failed to defend its domestic title.

Football authorities in Latvia are expected to respond with disciplinary procedures; the immediate competitive consequences for the unplayed match and for the clubs' final positions will depend on any rulings from the federation.

Photo: press material from the event