Germany is exploring the possibility of denying Russia a place in the World Hockey Championship. But refusing to grant visas to Russian players is not the right way to do so, says Sports Minister Ronald Rauhe.
Ice hockeyFinland will not issue visas to Russian athletes seeking to compete in the country, the government has decided. “Russia is using sports as a propaganda tool,” the government said in a press release.
SportsThe German parties AfD and Die Linke want Russia to be allowed to compete in the Ice Hockey World Championship in Germany this spring. Russian athletes should be granted visas, says AfD’s Jörn König, according to Bild.
Ice hockeyProtesters gathered outside the NHL team Ottawa Senators’ home arena to protest Washington Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin being allowed into Canada.
Ice hockeyWill Russia make it to the star-studded 2028 World Cup? “We’ll just have to wait and see how this develops, because things are changing almost daily right now,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said.
Ice hockey“As athletes, we just want to play,” superstar Aleksandr Ovechkin said of the controversy surrounding Russia’s return to the World Ice Hockey Championships. “You want to represent your country,” said the 41-year-old.
Ice hockeyRussia should be allowed to play in the World Junior Championship. It looks like Norway will pay the price. “It’s hard to see it as anything other than unfair,” Secretary General Tony Wiréhn told the Swedish Ice Hockey Association’s website.
Ice hockeyThe International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has announced on its website that it is opening talks with Russia. The Finnish Ice Hockey Federation says the World Championship cannot be held with Russia taking part.
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