IIHF suspends Russia, Belarus from playing
ZURICH –
The International Ice Hockey Federation has suspended all national teams of Russia and Belarus and withdrawn Russia’s right to host the 2023 World Children’s Hockey Championship in response to the Russia invades Ukraine.
The decision was made on Monday after a meeting of the IIHF board.
The IIHF said that Russia and Belarus national teams and clubs will be suspended from playing until further notice.
The organization left open the possibility of further sanctions. Russia is scheduled to host the men’s world championships in May 2023.
The IIHF announcement came on the same day that FIFA and the World Curling Federation also banned Russia and Belarus from competing.
The suspension that removes longtime contender Russia from the men’s world youth championships has been rescheduled in Alberta this summer.
Junior tournaments in Edmonton and Red Deer were postponed for December 30 after four days because of the COVID-19 outbreak.