“Based on the current situation and the knowledge we have today, Norway will not play Russia during the World Cup in Germany in May 2027. Other matches in the group will go ahead as normal,” the Norwegian Ice Hockey Federation (NIHF) writes.
It also writes that its position that Russia should be banned from all international championships as long as the war in Ukraine continues remains firm.
Focus on safety
“We believe that playing against Russia under the current circumstances could expose our players and team staff to significant safety risks. Our focus is therefore on their mental health, welfare and personal safety,” the NIHF writes.
Shortly afterwards, Denmark also joined the countries refusing to play against Russia.
“We have decided that we will not play against Russia. We have also notified the IIHF Council in Zurich of our decision,” Henrik Bach Nielsen, chairman of the Danish Ice Hockey Association, told Ritzau, adding:
“Considering the integrity of ice hockey, we cannot imagine playing against Russia as things stand. It would end in complete chaos if we did.”
On Monday, Finland announced that it did not intend to face Russia in the World Cup. The hope at the time was that several countries would choose the same path.
“If enough countries boycott their matches against Russia, it will of course be impossible to hold the championship,” Finnish Ice Hockey Federation chairman Heikki Hietanen told Swedish Yle.
No general boycott
Anders Larsson, chairman of the Swedish Ice Hockey Association, spoke out on Friday, but the issue then was a general boycott of the entire World Cup tournament.
“Swedish sports have been talking about this ever since the war broke out. We will express our opinion and position, and also vote accordingly, but a boycott is not an option,” Larsson told TT.
TT contacted Larsson today. He wants to wait until after today’s meeting with the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) board to comment on Finland’s and Denmark’s positions.
The federation has banned Russian national teams from the championship since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, but the decision was overturned on Friday after Russia’s appeal was heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
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