The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has decided to deprive the national teams of Russia and Belarus of the right to participate in the 2022 World Championship. It is reported by Iltalehti.
As the source of the publication announces, the teams of Austria and France will take the places of these teams. The IIHF also plans to deprive the federations of Russia and Belarus of membership in the organization. At the same time, Russia will lose the rights to host the World Youth Championships in Novosibirsk and Omsk, as well as the World Championships in St. Petersburg among men’s teams in 2023.
On February 28, the Finnish Ice Hockey Federation called it impossible for Russia and Belarus to participate in the 2022 World Cup. According to the chairman of the federation Harri Nummela, Russia and Belarus will not be able to take part in the tournament. He also advocated the exclusion of countries from the world hockey community.
Earlier, two-time Stanley Cup winner Dominik Hasek called on the leadership of the National Hockey League (NHL) to refuse contracts with Russian players because of the events in Ukraine. “Each athlete represents not only himself and his club, but also his country, its values and actions. This is a fact,” he said.
Source: Lenta
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