Six Nations Move to Boycotting Russia at Hockey Worlds
On November 3, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Latvia and the Czech Republic joined Finland in refusing to play Russia at next year’s men’s hockey world championship. The boycott now includes six of the tournament’s 16 nations. Sweden’s decision reversed its earlier position that a boycott was not being considered after a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Sweden said it would still play its other games against teams besides Russia.
Last week, CAS issued a decision requiring the International Ice Hockey Federation to bring Russian teams back into competition, starting with next month’s world junior championship in Canada. Russia’s teams have been excluded since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Norway said it wants Russia excluded from international championships while the war continues, and cited concerns for players’ and staff members’ safety and wellbeing. Norway could lose its place at the junior tournament if Russia is added, its general secretary said.
Austria is considering joining a coordinated boycott. Finnish tire maker Nokian Tyres said it would end its world championship sponsorship if Russia participates; Swedish sponsor AJ Products has said it will ask for its logo to be removed. Germany’s hockey federation has raised the possibility of withdrawing as host over cost and security concerns, while Finland’s Turku will not co-host the world juniors if Russia takes part. The IIHF had not immediately responded to the boycotts. The women’s world championship in Denmark is proceeding without Russia and is unaffected by the CAS ruling.
Hockey Nations Reject Russia’s Return as Sponsors Raise Stakes
Russia’s return to international hockey is meeting growing resistance: Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Latvia and the Czech Republic have joined Finland in saying they will not play against Russia at next year’s men’s world championship. The six nations account for more than a third of the tournament’s 16 teams. Sweden changed course after initially indicating that it would not pursue a boycott after the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling.
In a decision issued last week, CAS directed the International Ice Hockey Federation to restore Russian teams to competition, starting with next month’s world juniors in Canada. Russia has been excluded since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Norway’s federation says Russia should remain out of international championships while the war continues, and argues that playing the team would expose players and staff to security risks. Norway could be displaced from the junior event if Russia enters.
The response is spreading beyond the teams. Nokian Tyres says it will stop sponsoring the championship if Russia participates, and AJ Products wants its logo kept off the event in that case. Germany’s federation has raised a possible hosting withdrawal over costs and security, and Turku will not co-host the juniors if Russia takes part. The CAS decision may require reinstatement, but the growing refusals and commercial pressure show the sporting and safety concerns remain unresolved. The IIHF had not immediately responded.
Boycott Threats Put Hockey’s Russian Return and Competition at Risk
A widening boycott is putting next year’s men’s hockey world championship under pressure after Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Latvia and the Czech Republic joined Finland in refusing to play Russia. Six of the 16 teams are now involved. Last week, the Court of Arbitration for Sport issued a ruling directing the International Ice Hockey Federation to restore Russian teams, starting with next month’s world juniors in Canada, but national federations and sponsors are resisting that outcome.
The stakes include the integrity of the competition: Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico has argued that a gold medal means less if a team does not have to beat Russian players. Sweden will still play its other championship games, but its reversal of last week’s position adds a major hockey power to the refusal. Norway’s stance could also cost it a place in the junior tournament if Russia is added.
The boycott could affect hosting and funding as well as matchups. Nokian Tyres says it will end its sponsorship if Russia participates, while AJ Products wants its logo removed. Germany’s hockey federation has raised a possible withdrawal as host because of cost and security concerns, and Turku will not co-host the world juniors if Russia takes part. The IIHF had not immediately responded. The women’s championship in Denmark is proceeding without Russia and is not affected by the ruling.
Reported by KPRC 2 Click2Houston, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Newsweek.
