“Out of concern for the safety and well-being of all participating players, officials, media and fans, the IIHF Board has decided to revoke the rights to host the 2023 Ice Hockey World Championship from Russia,” the organization said in a statement.
It is noted that the alternative host of the championship will be determined at a meeting that will be held in the last week of the 2022 World Cup.
The Council is making this decision a priority to allow sufficient time for the new host country to prepare.
The 2023 World Championship was to be held in St. Petersburg from May 5 to May 21.
On February 28, IIHF announced the suspension of the national teams of Russia and Belarus from participation in international matches for an indefinite period.
Subsequently, it became known about the deprivation of Russia of the right to host the 2023 World Youth Championships.
Earlier, the head of the IIHF, Luc Tardif, said that Russian referees would not work at the World Championships in 2022.