Samoilova and Latvian Volleyball Federation clash over funding claims
After winning bronze at the European Beach Volleyball Championship, Anastasija Samoilova publicly criticized the Latvian Volleyball Federation for lacking financial support, prompting a swift rebuttal from the federation.
Latvia's beach volleyball duo Tīna Graudiņa and Anastasija Samoilova recently claimed bronze medals at the European Championship. The achievement was soon followed by a public dispute, as Samoilova issued a statement shortly afterward criticizing the Latvian Volleyball Federation (LVF).
The core complaint
Samoilova stated that the federation provides no financial support whatsoever, either to her or to junior-level beach volleyball athletes. Her teammate Graudiņa publicly backed the statement, showing solidarity with her partner's position.
Federation responds
The LVF quickly issued a response rejecting the accusations. The exchange has since escalated into mutual accusations, with each side claiming the other has spread false information or lacks proper understanding of the situation. The dispute highlights underlying tension between the country's leading beach volleyball athletes and the federation overseeing the sport, centered on the question of athletic funding in Latvia.
