Belarusian hockey teams are returning to international tournaments
The International Ice Hockey Federation has partially lifted restrictions on Belarus and allowed three national teams to participate in international tournaments. These include the U-18 boys’ and girls’ national teams, as well as the women’s national team. The decision has already drawn a sharp reaction from Ukraine, according to a statement from the Ukrainian Ice Hockey Federation’s press service.
The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has adopted a decision that effectively paves the way for the return of some Belarusian national teams to international competition. This refers to teams that were suspended following the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine and political decisions regarding the participation of the aggressor’s allied countries in global sports.
According to official information, the restrictions have been lifted for Belarus’s U-18 youth teams (both boys and girls), as well as for the women’s national team, which will be able to compete at the international level as early as the 2026/27 season; the decision was made taking into account the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee.
The Ukrainian Ice Hockey Federation reacted sharply to this decision, emphasizing that Belarus continues to be an ally of Russia in the war against Ukraine and is effectively providing its territory and infrastructure to support the aggression, which, in the opinion of the Ukrainian side, makes the return of its teams to international tournaments premature and unacceptable.
“For us, this position of the international federation is unacceptable; we are preparing an appeal and will continue to advocate for fair decisions. I repeat, aggressor countries have no place in international sports at any level: from youth to adult,” stated UHF President Serhiy Mazur, commenting on the IIHF’s decision.
It is expected that the Ukrainian federation’s next steps may include official appeals to international sports bodies, and the situation surrounding the return of Belarusian teams has already become a new topic of discussion within the European sports community.
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