Finland’s Ice Hockey Federation Agrees to Boycott Russian Teams
The Finnish Ice Hockey Association announced on Monday its commitment to not compete against Russian teams in international tournaments amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
This decision aligns with a similar stance taken by Latvia and arises following the recent ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which ordered the International Ice Hockey Federation to permit the participation of Russian teams starting with the World Juniors scheduled for late December in western Canada.
Henna Malmberg, a representative of the Finnish Ice Hockey Association, indicated that Finland is not alone in its position, as other countries are reportedly considering similar boycotts. Reports from Latvia suggest that their national teams will also refrain from facing Russian opponents, citing legal justifications.
An inquiry sent to the IIHF for clarification regarding the implications of Finland’s boycott of Russian teams remains unanswered at this time. According to the IIHF rulebook, should a forfeit occur, “supplementary discipline will be applied by the proper authorities at their discretion.”
Concerns Surrounding the Men’s World Championship
The German national hockey federation is currently deliberating the feasibility of continuing as the host for the upcoming men’s world championship scheduled for next year.
AJ Products, a Swedish furniture firm that has sponsored the men’s world championship since 1989 with branding on referees’ uniforms and rink boards, announced its intention to request the removal of its logo from the tournament due to Russia’s reinstatement. Chief Executive Enock Johansson expressed regret over this decision but affirmed it was necessary, stating, “It’s a decision we very much regret having to make, but we all agree it’s the right one.”
The German federation has voiced concerns regarding the financial implications of Russian participation, raising doubts about its ability to host the event. Security issues have also been highlighted as a significant concern. Frank H. Lutz, the federation’s chief executive, is scheduled to meet with political leaders in Berlin this week to discuss the situation further.
In related news, the Czech Republic will host the women’s under-18 world championship in January. A spokesperson for Czech President Petr Pavel recently expressed support for banning the participation of athletes competing under the Russian and Belarusian flags.
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