According to the IIHF press service, this decision was made in connection with possible security problems that are not under the control of the organization.
It is noted that the IIHF has not yet decided whether Latvia, which has filed a joint application with Belarus, will retain the right to host tournament matches as the sole host, or the tournament will be jointly with another country.
Earlier it was reported that the third brand has already refused to sponsor the 2021 World Hockey Championship if it is held in Belarus.