2024-01-11 23:09:00
Israel Excluded from International Ice Hockey Competitions Due to “Insurance Reasons”
In a surprising and controversial move, the International Ice Hockey Association has announced the exclusion of Israel from all competitions, citing “insurance reasons.” The decision means that the men’s team up to the age of 20 will not be able to participate in the upcoming World Championship (Level C) in Bulgaria and Bosnia, while the women’s team will not be able to participate in the World Championship (tier 3) in Estonia at the end of March.
The International Ice Hockey Association stated that the decision was made in order to guarantee the safety of all participants in the games, including the players of the Israeli national team. This exclusion comes on the heels of similar exclusions of the Russian and Belarus national teams “for security reasons,” following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
In response, the Israel Ice Hockey Association announced that they will be filing a claim with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), arguing that the decision to exclude Israel from competitions is unjust and against international sporting standards.
According to sources within the Israeli union, there are suspicions that the decision may be related to the influence of the former Russian player Pavel Bora, who is seeking revenge for Russia’s expulsion from the Olympic Games. This has led to allegations that the decision to exclude Israel is a political maneuver rather than a genuine concern for safety.
The decision has sparked outrage among Israeli officials, with MK Simon Davidson (Yesh Atid) calling the move “outrageous” and pledging to fight it with all possible means. He also announced plans to convene the sports committee in the Knesset for a discussion on the preparation of the Olympic delegation in light of the current challenges.
The exclusion of Israel from international ice hockey competitions has triggered a debate about the intersection of sports and politics, and the potential impact on athletes who may be caught in the middle. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether the decision will be overturned or if it will have lasting implications for Israel’s participation in international sporting events.
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