Russia urges IIHF to move Canada world juniors as hockey boycotts spread
Canadian authorities said Russians will be barred from the 10-nation tournament in Alberta from 26 December. Estonia, Finland and Norway plan to exclude athletes until the war in Ukraine ends.
Russia's Ice Hockey Federation has demanded that the World Junior Championship, scheduled to be held in Canada next month, either be postponed or cancelled. President of the federation, Vladislav Tretiak, threatened to seek compensation from Canada and Germany if the Russian team is barred from participating. Tretiak also appealed to the International Ice Hockey Federation's (IIHF) ethics committee to investigate and impose sanctions on federations organizing boycotts of games involving Russia.
The IIHF has three options: let Russia play, move the championship elsewhere, or impose sanctions on Canada's ice hockey association. Canada has decided to deny Russian players entry after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) overturned its previous ban on Russia following the invasion of Ukraine. Canada's Prime Minister, Mark Carney, stated that no Russian or Belarusian teams will be allowed to participate in the tournament.
Germany is also reconsidering hosting the men's World Championship in 2027 amid a series of boycotts. Many other countries have also refused to sign the new schedule for the World Junior Championship if Russia is included. The IIHF has yet to comment on the dispute, as it faces a rapidly escalating conflict.
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