Four Nordic nations refuse to play ice hockey with Russia
Four Nordic countries have refused to play against Russian national teams at upcoming international ice hockey championships, despite a court ruling overturning Russia's exclusion.
The national ice hockey federations of Denmark, Norway and Sweden announced their refusals on Tuesday, while Finland confirmed its position a day earlier. Latvia and the Czech Republic have also joined the boycott, creating a significant coalition opposing Russia's participation in international competitions.
Boycott Details
Denmark and Norway specifically stated they would not face Russia at the men's World Championship in Germany, scheduled for May 14-30 next year, but would play their other matches. Sweden and Finland have also opposed facing Russian teams at upcoming international championships, with Finland actively coordinating a joint boycott.
The Finnish Ice Hockey Federation has been contacting other countries to coordinate a joint boycott of matches against Russia
Canadian Position
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney joined the chorus on Tuesday, declaring that Russian and Belarusian athletes would not be allowed to represent their countries at the World Junior Championship beginning December 26 in Alberta. Canada's stance directly contradicts the recent court ruling that had cleared Russia to participate in the tournament.
If you're asking specifically about the world juniors, the Russians will not be there
Legal Context
The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled last Friday that the International Ice Hockey Federation had not provided sufficient evidence to justify Russia's continued exclusion on security grounds. The ruling covered five championships in 2027, including the World Junior Championship in Canada. The IIHF expressed "disappointment" with the ruling but said it would comply.
Athletes from Russia and Belarus were excluded from events following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. Moscow has long argued that Western nations pressured international federations into barring Russian athletes as part of a wider strategy to contain Russia.
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