Tuesday, March 01, 2022

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Wayne Gretzky: Russia Should Be Banned From World Juniors Hockey Tournament In Edmonton

Wayne Gretzky is calling for Russia to be barred from playing in the World Juniors hockey tournament
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© Getty Images Wayne Gretzky

"I think international hockey should say, ‘We’re not gonna let them play in the World Junior Hockey Tournament,'" he said in an interview with "NHL on TNT" over the weekend. "I think we got to, as Canadians, take that stance since the games are going to be played in Edmonton." The rescheduled tournament is set to take place in Edmonton this summer after being put on hold due to rising COVID-19 cases in December.

Calling Russia's invasion of Ukraine a "senseless war," Gretzky says he has been in contact with Ukrainians in the country this week.

"I talked to a couple of guys this morning who are living in Ukraine. They are actually driving from Kyiv with their families 14 hours, dropping them off, driving back, and picking up rifles and guns so that they can protect their own cities," he says.

The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) is the body that makes decisions on any banishment from play. If it follows Gretzky's calls, the IIHF would follow in the footsteps of FIFA who banned Russia from playing a World Cup qualifying match.


Gretzky's Comments on Russia Go a Long Way

With his carefully-chosen words this weekend, Gretzky has supported the right cause. Hockey needs more people like that. He is known as the Great One for very good reason, but he just got a little bit greater.
© Provided by The Hockey News Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Adam Proteau

For many of us of a particular age, Wayne Gretzky was, is, and always will be the best hockey player of all time.

Growing up in the 1980s, there was no questioning his dominance, willpower, and creativity on the ice. But No. 99 was not a political animal; by the time he played his most famous games against the powerful Soviet Union team at the 1987 Canada Cup, the hockey battle for supremacy was all but over, and there was no debating which country was best.

Four years after Gretzky, fellow leviathan Mario Lemieux, and an all-time great roster was finished with the Soviets at the Canada Cup, the Soviet Union collapsed, and a more European-friendly vibe emerged at hockey’s top levels.

Since then, Gretzky has, for the most part, steered clear of politics, both Canadian and international. However, that changed Saturday when, as part of a hockey panel on the TNT Network, he spoke out in favor of banning Russian players from the upcoming International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship, currently scheduled to take place in Edmonton in August.

With Russian athletes in many sports now facing bans from participating because of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s heinous war of aggression against Ukraine, Gretzky said he believes hockey’s gatekeepers must follow suit.

“I think international hockey should say, ‘We’re not gonna let them play in the world junior hockey tournament,” Gretzky said. “I think we got to, as Canadians, take that stance, since the games are going to be played in Edmonton.”

(The IIHF would later go on to ban Russia and Belarus from upcoming international events).

Now, you may say it’s easier for Gretzky to speak out than Russian players like Alex Ovechkin, but there’s two factors at play here that make it extremely commendable for the Hockey Hall-of-Famer to take a stance. For one thing, it’s true Gretzky doesn’t have direct family members in Ukraine or Russia the way Ovechkin does right now, but Gretzky’s family lineage stretches back to include links to the Russian Empire, Belarus, and yes, Ukraine. (And this is to say nothing of Ovechkin’s well-chronicled, enthusiastic support of Putin when it was convenient for him to do so. He cannot have it both ways, and expect not to be criticized at this moment in history.)

Secondly, the hockey community does not normally encourage its greatest players to be outspoken on matters outside the sport. “Go along to get along” is a philosophy most NHLers adopt from their earliest years, and those who choose to speak up about one non-hockey cause or another are labeled as troublemakers and/or distractions. That said, in speaking about Russia’s actions against Ukraine, Gretzky is neither of those two things. His opinion about Putin isn’t going to turn the tide of this war, but Gretzky has put himself on the right side of history by not choosing to remain silent.
View the original article to see embedded media.

In many ways, Russian players and sports stars are innocent victims of Putin’s madness. We should never forget the humanity that binds us all, and acknowledge that millions of Russians want no part of this war. But the IIHF would be, and should be heavily criticized if they allow Russian participation in their events.

Solidarity with Ukraine is a must if we’re going to be a free and healthy, democracy-supporting group of nations. Russia has squandered any goodwill they may have had, and while it is unfortunate a collection of talented young hockey stars are going to pay a price for their homeland’s actions, they have nobody to blame but Putin himself.

With his carefully-chosen words this weekend, Gretzky has supported the right cause. Hockey needs more people like that. He is known as the Great One for very good reason, but he just got a little bit greater.

Russia boycott: Full list of countries refusing to play national team after Ukraine invasion

Jeorge Bird 



Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a host of national football teams have announced that they will refuse to play against Russia for the foreseeable future.


Poland, Sweden and Czech Republic, which were scheduled to face Russia in World Cup qualifying were the first to take the position. England, Wales and Scotland have followed suit, ruling out playing Russia at any level of competition.

After initially ordering Russia to play their upcoming games in neutral territory under the name the Football Union of Russia, FIFA is now set to oust the nation from World Cup qualifying altogether.

MORE: Is Chelsea's Russian owner Abramovich selling the club?

Here's a look at all the nations that have stated that they won't be playing Russia.
Poland, Sweden, Czech Republic

Poland, Sweden, and the Czech Republic are scheduled to play Russia on March 24 in a four-team World Cup qualifying playoff mini-bracket.

But all three teams released a joint statement saying they will not play Russia in the matches, leaving FIFA with a decision to make.

OŚWIADCZENIE FEDERACJI PIŁKARSKICH POLSKI, SZWECJI I CZECH. Więcej... https://t.co/fkNXQJIseH pic.twitter.com/Tc9o5POp02— PZPN (@pzpn_pl) February 24, 2022

High-profile players such as Robert Lewandowski and Wojciech Szczesny have also come out individually to criticized Russia with the reigning FIFA player of the year Lewandowski stating that "we can't pretend that nothing is happening."

MORE: Champions League final moved from Russia

It is the right decision! I can’t imagine playing a match with the Russian National Team in a situation when armed aggression in Ukraine continues. Russian footballers and fans are not responsible for this, but we can’t pretend that nothing is happening. https://t.co/rfnfbXzdjF— Robert Lewandowski (@lewy_official) February 26, 2022

Juventus goalkeeper Szczesny, who has a Ukrainian wife, said that he is refusing to play against Russia. He wrote on Instagram: “Seeing the suffering on their faces and fear for their country makes me realize I can’t stand still and pretend that nothing has happened.”

Karl-Erik Nilsson, chairman of the Swedish FA, said: "The illegal and deeply unjust invasion of Ukraine currently makes all football exchanges with Russia impossible. We therefore urge FIFA to decide that the playoff matches in March in which Russia participates will be canceled. But regardless of what FIFA chooses to do, we will not play against Russia in March."

MORE: Football fallout after Russia's invasion of Ukraine

England takes a stand against Russia

The English FA released a statement condemning Russia's actions in Ukraine and said that they do not intend to play Russia in any international fixtures at any level for the foreseeable future.

The FA statement read: "Out of solidarity with Ukraine and to wholeheartedly condemn the atrocities being committed by the Russian leadership, the FA can confirm that we won't play against Russia in any international fixtures for the foreseeable future.

"This includes any potential match at any level of senior age group or para football."

Statement from The FA: pic.twitter.com/bz0CLR0rum— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson) February 27, 2022


Ireland, Wales, Scotland join Russia boycott


Not only did the three nations announce their refusal to play against Russia, but Ireland and Scotland also offered support to the Ukrainian football federation with matches scheduled between the countries in March and June.
Ireland

The Football Association of Ireland announced its “full and unequivocal support” to the Ukrainian FA on Feb. 28. The decision was notable as Ireland is meant to play a pair of UEFA Nations League matches against Ukraine in June, drawn together in a four-team group with Scotland and Armenia.

MORE: Schalke cuts ties with Russian shirt sponsor

FAI president Gerry McAnaney and chief executive Jonathan Hill reached out to executives in Ukraine to inform them the FAI will be as "flexible and accommodating as possible" with regards to the two Nations League fixtures.

In addition, the FAI announced they will refuse to play Russia under any circumstances.

“In light of the current situation,” Hill said, “I can confirm that we will not consider any international fixture against any Russian side, no matter what the level, until further notice.”

Wales

Wales have also stated that they will not play any matches against Russia.

The statement from the Welsh FA read: "The Football Association of Wales (FAW) stands in solidarity with Ukraine and feels an extreme amount of sadness and shock to the recent developments in the country.

"The FAW expresses its condemnation for the use of force and the atrocities being committed by Russia in its invasion of Ukraine.

"The FAW has decided that Cymru will not play any international fixtures against Russia for the foreseeable future, at any level of the game.

"Our thoughts and support are with the people of Ukraine."
Сильніші разом. Together, we are stronger. Gyda'n gilydd, yn gryfach. 🇺🇦🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 #TogetherStronger— FA WALES (@FAWales) February 27, 2022

Scotland

Scotland have also stated that they won't play against Russia in any venue.

The statement read: "The Scottish FA President, Rod Petrie, has written to his counterpart at the Ukrainian Association of Football to send a message of support, friendship, and unity.

"Football is inconsequential amid conflict but we have conveyed the strong sense of solidarity communicated to us by Scotland fans and citizens in recent days.

"We remain in dialogue with UEFA and FIFA regarding our men's FIFA World Cup play-off and women's World Cup qualifier and have offered to support our Ukrainian colleagues' preparations as best we can in these unimaginably difficult circumstances.

"Should the current circumstances continue, we will not sanction the nomination of a team to participate in our scheduled UEFA Regions Cup fixture against Russia, due to be played in August.

"This will remain our position should any other fixtures arise at any level of international football."

The Scottish FA send a message of support, friendship and unity to the people of Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/hSckZTs0Xz— Scottish FA (@ScottishFA) February 28, 2022

United States will not play Russia


On February 28, the United States added itself to the growing list of countries boycotting Russia, announcing it will not take the field against Russia "no matter the level of competition or circumstance, until freedom and peace have been restored."

In the statement, the U.S. took a firm stance, saying "we will neither tarnish the global game nor dishonor Ukraine" by taking the field against Russia.

While it had already been widely reported earlier that morning that FIFA was likely to ban Russia from competition, the statement of intent by the United States was still a firm and meaningful move, with the increase in competitive nations boycotting Russia forcing FIFA's hand.

#WeStandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/spRVx7NZbr— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) February 28, 2022

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