The head of the IIHF refused to consider the absence of Barbashev in congratulations to Vegas as discrimination
President of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Luc Tardif explained why the organization did not mention the Russian striker Ivan Barbashev in congratulating the Vegas Golden Knights on the championship in the National Hockey League (NHL). His words are quoted by Sport-Express.
Tardif said that only 12 players were represented on the poster, that is, only half of the team. The head of the IIHF refused to consider this as discrimination against everyone else.
On June 14, the IIHF posted a collage of several Vegas players in their national team uniforms. In the message, the organization noted the profiles of the US Ice Hockey Federation, Canada and Sweden. Barbashev was not included in the collage, and there is no mention of the Russian Ice Hockey Federation in the text.
Previously, Vegas defeated the Florida Panthers 9-3 in Game 5 of the NHL Finals to win the Stanley Cup for the first time. Barbashev was marked by an abandoned puck in the third period.
Source: Lenta
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