Four Nordic nations refuse to play ice hockey with Russia

Canada has also vowed to block Russian players from competing despite an arbitration court ruling overturning their ban Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland have refused to play matches against Russian national teams at upcoming international ice hockey championships, despite a court ruling overturning restrictions on Russia’s participation. Canada has also vowed to bar Russian players from a major tournament it is hosting next month.The national ice hockey federations of Denmark, Norway and Sweden announced their refusals on Tuesday, while Finland confirmed its position a day earlier. Latvia and the Czech Republic have also joined the boycott.Denmark and Norway said they would not face Russia at the men’s World Championship in Germany, set to run May 14-30 next year, but would play their other matches. Sweden and Finland have also opposed facing Russian teams at upcoming international championships.The Finnish Ice Hockey Federation has been contacting other countries to coordinate a joint boycott of matches against Russia, its president, Heikki Hietanen, said. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also joined the chorus, declaring on Tuesday that Russian and Belarusian athletes would...