The Finnish Ice Hockey Association has announced that Finland’s national team will refuse to play against Russia as long as Moscow’s war in Ukraine continues. Finnish Ice Hockey Association chairman Heikki Hietanen stated that Helsinki is actively seeking to build a unified front by encouraging other Nordic countries and major Central European hockey nations to adopt the same boycott stance. According to Hietanen, widespread boycotts would make organizing matches against Russia practically impossible.
The policy shift follows a recent ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which ordered the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) to immediately allow Russia back into international competition, overturning previous restrictions. Although Hietanen initially expressed frustration with the CAS decision and indicated that Finland would comply with international rulings rather than boycott the upcoming world championship, internal concerns prompted the association to formally clarify its position and commit to refusing matches against Russia.
Finnish Sports Minister Mika Poutala and European Olympic Committees Executive Board member Emma Terho have both voiced support for the association’s firm stance, expressing hope that Russia will ultimately be kept out of the upcoming world championship in Germany and urging other nations to join the effort.
