French Hockey Player Stéphane Da Costa Cleared to Play Against Sweden Despite Russian League Controversy

Stéphane Da Costa plays in the toilet – meets Sweden

Players in the Russian league are not allowed to play for the French national team since they invaded Ukraine.

So far.

“The player has never supported the Russian attack,” the French Sports Ministry wrote in a lengthy press release.

When the French Ice Hockey Federation (FFHG) previously promoted the team to the general representative Ice Hockey World Cup in the Czech Republic they had made some minor changes regarding the player.

And a big policy change.

Stéphane Da Costa has played in the Russian league (KHL) in two rounds, nine seasons – but not in the national team from spring 2022.

“From case to case”

“First of all, the Minister of Sports (Amélie Oudéa-Castéra) has always said that there is a need for clear principles, but also to evaluate individual situations on a case-by-case basis,” the Ministry of Sports begins their press release to The team.

In addition, it is written that Stéphane Da Costa lived in Russia for a long time and did not choose to move there during the ongoing war. Then the ministry mentions The decision of the IOC about allowing Russian athletes who do not support an aggressive war or have connections to power to compete in the Olympics.

One of the best in the country ever

“The minister spoke personally to Stéphane Da Costa. The player was never behind the Russian attack and his neutrality allows FFHG to take him out. In this case, the minister does not want to go against the wishes of the player and the union”.

Stéphane Da Costa, 34, is considered one of France’s greatest ever players.

The World Cup in the Czech Republic kicks off on May 10 and France face Sweden in the group stage on the 20th.