Six European hockey federations, including Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Czech Republic, and Latvia, have announced a boycott of matches against the Russian national team at the 2027 World Championship, which will take place in Germany. This decision follows a recent ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) that allowed Russian hockey players to participate in international competitions.
Reasons for the Boycott
The federations stated that playing matches against Russia under the current circumstances could pose significant risks for players and team staff. They emphasized that their position on suspending Russia from international competitions during the war remains unchanged.
Reactions from Hockey Associations
The Norwegian Hockey Association confirmed that the country would not play against Russia, highlighting its determination to support the boycott. Other countries, such as Denmark and Sweden, also expressed their concerns regarding Russia's participation in the tournaments, given the current political situation in the region.
Context of the 2027 World Championship
The 2027 World Championship is scheduled for May in Germany. This will be an important tournament that will gather many teams from around the world. However, Russia's participation in this event raises serious controversies and outrage among European countries, which believe it could threaten the safety of the participants.