Robert Fico and Július Hudáček (Source: Topky/Vlado Anjel, TASR/Milan Kapusta, collage: Topky)
BRATISLAVA – Members of the National Council of the Slovak Republic had a traditional question hour on Thursday. Prime Minister Robert Fico commented on current topics, who, among other things, openly defended hockey goalie Július Hudáček in parliament. These days, he is facing a huge wave of criticism and attacks for his work in the Russian hockey league during the war in Ukraine.
Slovak goalkeeper Július Hudáček was already supposed to change his jersey this season and join the hockey club in Kladno, Czech Republic. However, his career there ended before it began. Czech hockey fans have grown fond of him because of his work in the Russian hockey league. They even wanted to boycott Kladno matches. The club therefore immediately decided to cancel his engagement.
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Július Hudáček (Source: SITA/Martin Medňanský)
The harsh reaction of the hockey club and fans did not leave Robert Fico cold either, who defended our goalkeeper in the parliament. “It is a dangerous policy of one opinion, which I reject,” stated Fico. “I’m sorry for what happened to a well-known athlete. I fundamentally reject such treatment. I would never involve athletes in dirty political games. Mr. Hudáček, I also apologize,” continued Fico in parliament during question time.
Fico further stated that he also disagrees with the ban on the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in international events. “Then the value of the medals is also significantly lower if the best athletes, who often come from Russia or Belarus, cannot participate in these competitions,” Fico thought.
Robert Fico commented on the topic of criticism of goalkeeper Július Hudáček (Source: nrsr.sk)
According to the Prime Minister, Slovak hockey players playing in the Russian KHL should start at the World Championships. “Of course, yes. These are athletes and they are looking for the best conditions for sports enjoyment. If a hockey player plays in the second best league in the world, it is the athlete’s mission, his dream. What does it have to do with someone telling him that he can’t to represent the Slovak Republic because he plays in a country that is in conflict with Ukraine?”
Hard words from Pellegrini
In recent days, the Speaker of the Parliament Peter Pellegrini has also openly defended Hudáček. “I am against any war as a form of conflict resolution and I also strongly condemn the military conflict in Ukraine. Thousands of innocent human lives are dying in it. I am even more saddened if the human lives of absolutely innocent people who have nothing to do with this military conflict are being destroyed. “ remarked Pellegrini at the beginning of the video he posted on the social network.
According to him, one of them is Hudáček, who is exposed to unprecedented attacks and accusations of Russian aggression. “It is unreal in what time we live. We have stopped looking for peace for reality. We do not value people’s lives and are able to destroy them not only with weapons, which I am extremely sorry for, but also with words,” stated Pellegrini. According to him, we live in a hypocritical time when a Russian can play in the NHL, but a Slovak cannot play in the KHL, and when he plays, he is done.
“Let’s live with dignity and please don’t destroy the lives of innocent people. Let’s not destroy them with weapons, but let’s not destroy them with words. And, Julius, I tell you that I will always stand on the side of innocent people, I will always protect our country and please, to all those people who they’re accusing you pointlessly and hypocritically, Julius, I’m sorry,” he added in conclusion.
2024-01-12 09:28:00
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