The Finnish hockey team drops out of the KHL playoffs due to the Russian attack
Jokers Helsinki, a Finnish hockey team that plays in the Continental Hockey League (KHL) in Russia. announced that it will not end the season to follow Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The team’s decision comes before KHL’s playoffs starting next week. They had to play against Moscow’s Spartak 1. March.
“The world is going through really hard times right now,” Joker majority owner / CEO and former NHL player Jari Kurri wrote in a statement published on Friday. “All our thoughts are with the people affected. We hope to find a peaceful solution soon.”
MORE: Russia’s demands that Ukraine lower its arms before any talks are a “farce,” experts say.
KHL President Alexei Morozov said in a statement issued after his withdrawal from the Joker playoffs:
“We are very sorry that we are losing the Jokers, an excellent and vibrant team with a recognizable style. The Jokers have been playing in our league since the 2014-2015 season and have consistently made the playoffs. The games with all the teams in the league have always been interesting.
It is very unfortunate that the departure of the Jokers is not for sporting but for political reasons. “
The The ongoing crisis in Ukraine it has had a major impact on international sports. world. UEFA confirmed on Friday that this season’s Champions League final will be played in St. Petersburg transferred out of Russia and Paris.
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F1 has also withdrawn from Russiastated that it would be “impossible to hold a competition in Sochi in the current circumstances”.
The International Ski Federation has also decided to cancel all its remaining World Cup races in Russia.
The International Hockey Federation announced it would meet on Monday to discuss the consequences of the attack. The World Championships for Youth 2022-23 and the World Championships 2023 will be held in Russia.
Other European clubs and organizations are withdrawing from Russian sponsorship agreements, including the German football club FC Schalke, and are removing the Russian company name from their jerseys.
Contact Analis Bailey at [email protected] or on Twitter @analisbailey.