Russia-Ukraine War: Ice hockey federation suspends Russian, Belarusian teams until further notice

Russia and Belarus team have been suspended by international ice hockey federation. (Source: Twitter)

The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) on Monday (February 28) suspended Russian and Belarusian teams from its competitions until further notice and revoked Russia`s 2023 World Junior Championship hosting rights. The announcement comes as sporting bodies around the globe move to bar Russian athletes from competing in international events amid Russia’s ongoing military invasion of Ukraine. Belarus has been a key staging area for the invasion.

“We were incredibly shocked to see the images that have come out of Ukraine,” IIHF President Luc Tardif said in a statement. “I have been in close contact with the Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine and we hope for all Ukrainians that this conflict can be resolved in a peaceful way and without the need for further violence.”

Both FIFA and UEFA suspended Russian teams from international football. On Monday, the International Olympic Committee’s executive board recommended federations to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from competition. USA Hockey backed the IIHF’s decision.

“Our hearts and prayers are with the people of Ukraine as they defend their country,” IIHF said in a statement. “The actions of (Russian President) Vladimir Putin and the support from Belarusian government officials are beyond reprehensible.”

The IIHF Council has suspended all Russian and Belarusian national and club teams from IIHF competitions until further notice and withdrew the hosting rights of the 2023 #WorldJuniors from Russia.

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) February 28, 2022

The National Hockey League (NHL) suspended ties with its Russian business partners as well on Monday and condemned the invasion in Ukraine, days after Alex Ovechkin, the Russian captain of the Washington Capitals and one of the league’s most prolific goal scorers, called for peace.

Just a little over a week ago, the Russian Olympic Committee’s men’s ice hockey team took silver at the Beijing Winter Games. “The IIHF is not a political entity and cannot influence the decisions being taken over the war in Ukraine,” said President Tardif.

“We nevertheless have a duty of care to all of our members and participants and must do all we can to ensure that we are able to operate our events in a safe environment for all teams taking part in the IIHF World Championship program.”

Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a ‘special operation’ that it says is not designed to occupy territory but to destroy its southern neighbour’s military capabilities and capture what it regards as dangerous nationalists.