MINSK, 23 December (BelTA) – The Belarus Ice Hockey Federation issued an official statement over the incident with the Belarusian national anthem at the KHL league match between HC Jokerit and HC Dinamo Minsk, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarus Ice Hockey Federation (BIHF).
"The Belarus Ice Hockey Federation is deeply disappointed with the decision of the organizers of the match not to play the national anthem of the Republic of Belarus, which was offensive not only to the team but also to the entire Belarusian nation," the statement reads. “The past season has already shown us that the Finnish club is under the influence of various political forces. This season, the Finnish club also made attempts to artificially escalate the situation around the Jokerit match in Minsk and to politicize it. Therefore, the incident with the Belarusian anthem looks like another a link in the chain of similar events. We are sure that the Kontinental Hockey League will take note of the incident and take appropriate disciplinary measures against the Finnish club. Sports arenas are a place for sports ambitions rather than political ones.
