Ice Hockey Federation replaces Russia, Belarus at world championship
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In continuation of the Russophobia campaign in the sports field, the International Ice Hockey Federation replaces Russia and Belarus at the world championship.
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The IIHF said it suspended Russian and Belarusian teams over Russia's special military operation in Ukraine.
The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) announced Friday replacing Russia and Belarus with France and Austria at the men's ice hockey world championship in May.
On February 28, the IIHF said it suspended Russian and Belarusian teams over Russia's special military operation in Ukraine.
After a council meeting on Friday, the IIHF announced the replacement teams.
🔥BREAKING🔥
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) March 18, 2022
France🇫🇷 & Austria🇦🇹 to play at #IIHFWorlds. Division I adjusted with Lithuania🇱🇹 moving to IA.
Latvia🇱🇻 joins 2022 #WorldJuniors.
Sweden🇸🇪 joins 2022 #WomensWorlds.
Slovakia🇸🇰 joins 2022 #WW18.
READ MORE ➡️ https://t.co/v54jF8ZPSF
📷 Andre Ringuette / HHOF-IIHF pic.twitter.com/F6L44SxSpk
France will take Russia's place at the championships in Finland from May 15-29, as Austria will replace Belarus.
France will join group A in Helsinki and face defending champions Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Slovakia, Denmark, Kazakhstan, and Italy.
Austria will be in group B in Tampere and play Olympic champions Finland, the United States, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Latvia, Norway, and Great Britain.
It is noteworthy that several sports governing bodies have defied their doctrines, mixing sports with politics and unlawfully banning and suspending Russia and Belarus from international sporting competitions, as well as depriving the two countries of organizing such events.
Russia isolated from sporting events
For instance, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has refused to lift FIFA's ban on Russia participating in the World Cup playoffs for 2022.
Similarly, European football's governing body UEFA had punished Russia by stripping Saint Petersburg of hosting the Champions League final on May 28 and awarding it to Paris.
UEFA's decision was quickly followed by Formula One announcing they were canceling this year's Russian Grand Prix that was supposed to be held in Sochi on March 25.
In addition, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had urged sports federations and organizers to exclude Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from international events.
