Finland says its national teams won't play against Russia in hockey tournaments

The Finnish Ice Hockey Association said Monday its national teams won't play against Russia in international tournaments as long as the war in Ukraine is ongoing. That stance by Finland, and reportedly also Latvia, comes after the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled last week that the International Ice Hockey Federation must reinstate Russian teams beginning with the world juniors that begins in late December in western Canada. Finnish Ice Hockey Association spokesperson Henna Malmberg said the organization does not believe it is alone among countries interested in boycotting games against Russia. Media reports in Latvia said that nation's teams would not play Russia, citing legal reasons. A message sent to the IIHF seeking comment and clarification on what Finland boycotting games against Russia would mean was not immediately returned.