Domino effect: why foreign hockey players are more willing to leave the KHL than football players - RPL

Huge pressure from the Western public this week is not only on domestic athletes living or performing abroad, but also on foreign players who take part in competitions on the territory of the Russian Federation.

First of all, we are talking about the Continental Hockey League and the Russian Premier League, where the number of representatives of other countries is very large.

In football, Krasnodar has the most difficult situation.

The team first left the head coach Daniel Farke along with assistants, and then there was a rumor that the Pole Grzegorz Krychowiak convinced the rest of the foreigners to leave the club.

As a result, eight player contracts were suspended at once.

At the same time, as explained by Jim Solbakken, agent of the Norwegian Eric Butheim, the athletes plan to train in Russia, but separately from the rest of the team. 

“Now is a difficult time for everyone, including the club.

Let's see how the situation will develop further, ”the RB-Sport specialist quotes.

Moscow "Locomotive" was left without the head coach of the German Markus Gisdol, who did not even deign to warn about the departure.

In other clubs, the situation looks more stable.

Thus, the St. Petersburg "Zenith" is preparing for the matches of the championship of Russia almost at full strength.

Only Yaroslav Rakitskiy left the team.

The Latin Americans of Zenit, as they say in the team, are worried about the current situation, take the latest events in the world and in football to heart, but do not intend to leave anywhere.

At least for now.

This decision of legionnaires is dictated, on the one hand, by large personal contracts.

On the other hand, the neutral attitude of Latin American countries to what is happening in Ukraine.

Brazil, in particular, did not support the sanctions imposed against Russia.

It is still possible to keep foreigners and Spartak at home, although the Muscovites have a more European squad.

At the same time, the Belgian Maximiliano Kofrier told reporters the day before that he was staying in Russia.

The Dutchman Quincy Promes does not plan to leave anywhere either.

However, the latter is not much expected at home.

Last year, a criminal case was initiated against him.

Also in the team are Frenchman Samuel Gigot and Swede Jordan Larsson.

Much more difficult situation in the Continental Hockey League.

First of all, due to the fact that most of the legionnaires in this sport are from the countries of northern Europe, which are particularly sensitive to the political situation.

Suffice it to recall the story of the three-time Olympic champion in cross-country skiing Alexander Bolshunov that the Russian team in Oslo was filled with buses.

After that, you can imagine how much pressure is on hockey players.

In addition, the amount of contracts in the KHL due to the salary cap is not as large as in football.

Plus, they are paid in rubles, which means that due to the growth of the dollar and the euro, they are no longer so attractive.

Therefore, in hockey, the outflow of athletes is massive.

Moreover, the financial part of the issue, judging by the incoming information, the legionnaires fade into the background.

As a source told Match TV, foreigners are not even ready to wait for a salary for February.

They have general chats where they discuss the situation.

“There is a chain reaction, like a domino effect,” the source added. 

So far, Salavat Yulaev has had the most problems.

Ufimtsy became the first league club that was left without foreigners.

Dane Philip Larsen, Finns Juha Metsola, Markus Granlund, Sakari Manninen and Teemu Hartikainen, Canadian with a Belarusian passport Jeff Platt decided to leave the team and leave Russia without waiting for the end of the playoffs and leaving the team in a difficult situation.

Another representative of Finland also leaves the country - the goalkeeper of Metallurg Juho Olkinuora.

According to the vice-president of the Magnitogorsk club Sergei Laskov, he does not do it of his own free will. 

“Juho had no desire to leave.

I don’t know what happened, I won’t get into anyone’s head, I won’t read someone else’s correspondence.

He said that such circumstances that he was forced to fly home.

I didn’t get into the head of the North American legionnaires, but they train, prepare with us, ”the TASS functionary is quoted as saying.

A little later on Friday, the Swedish forwards of CSKA Lukas Wallmark and Joakim Nordström followed suit.

They even paid compensation to the Moscow club in accordance with the requirements of the regulations.

Two-time Olympic champion Vyacheslav Fetisov believes that even in the most difficult situation, you need to look for positive aspects.

According to the State Duma deputy, the departure of legionnaires will create a strong domestic championship.

“The guys came and won the Olympic Games and World Championships.

You just need to reconsider all the conditions.

It is important to reformat and become the strongest, including through our historical experiences and capabilities, ”said the famous hockey player in a commentary to Fontanka.