MINSK, 24 December (BelTA) – The Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) fined HC Jokerit Helsinki for an incident with the Belarusian anthem at a regular season match against HC Dinamo Minsk on 22 December, TASS informed citing the KHL press service as saying.
The Belarusian anthem was not played prior to the match. Some other music was played instead. Later, Jokerit apologized to Dinamo.
“HC Jokerit Helsinki provided a comprehensive explanation for the incident with the Belarusian anthem in match No.487 against HC Dinamo Minsk. There was a technical error on the part of the arena DJ. The club and the DJ apologized to the Belarusian side. In accordance with Paragraph 14 of Article 30 of the disciplinary regulations, the KHL decided to fine HC Jokerit for not playing the anthem of Belarus before the Jokerit Helsinki vs Dinamo Minsk match on 22 December 2021, which is a violation of Paragraph 1 of Article 52 of the KHL sports regulations,” the KHL press service said.
In the case of violating the requirements for playing the national anthems of the teams, punitive sanctions maybe imposed on those responsible according to the KHL Disciplinary Regulations.
