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Finland and Sweden withdraw from the World Bandy Championships in Russia due to the conflict in Ukraine.
The board of the Bandy Federation made a unanimous decision after Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine. Finland withdraws from both the senior WC in Syvtyvkar 27.3-3.4 and the U18 WC in Kemerovo 24-26.3.
– The reason is the escalating conflict in Ukraine and the consequent weakened security situation in Russia. It is our responsibility to ensure the safety of Finnish citizens and that is why we have decided to withdraw from the World Cup, says operations manager Tobias Karlsson.
Sweden is also withdrawing. According to the Swedish Bandy Association, it is a clear mark against Russia.
– Russia violates both international law and human rights when invading Ukraine, writes Secretary General Pär Gustafsson in the union’s press release according to TT.
– Ukraine is a member of the bandy family, and our sympathies and thoughts are of course right now with the country’s inhabitants.
In 2020 and 2021, the World Cup was canceled due to the corona pandemic. It can thus be three years without the bandy WC, if the international bandy federation decides to cancel the WC in Russia.
– It is both a stance against Russia’s actions and part of the security of our assets. It was also important to show what our values are about, Pär Gustafsson tells TT.
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