A youth ice hockey player has been suspended for two games following a brawl during a game in Kotla Järve in which at least one player was hurled an anti-Ukrainian slur.
A youth player was also reportedly punched in the face during the course of the incident.
While the political and international situation at the time leading to the outrage of a sports stadium, in this case the rink, is nothing new, the incident in Kotla Järve in January was particularly unfortunate because: Youth players also participated. Some of them are from Ukraine and have reportedly been physically assaulted by their opponents' parents and the opposing players themselves.
Needless to say, this incident occurred after the match between Kotla Järve SK Vir Sputnik and Tallinna HC Vipers U-17 team, which took place at the Kotla Järve ice rink on January 21st. It should be condemned.” It said it was “unacceptable” and “criminal”, but it was also “beyond the scope of the disciplinary committee”.
This incident caused an uproar that not only involved the players, but also the spectators, mainly the players' parents, and even match officials. The Commission found that while it was the responsibility of the host team (i.e. Kotla Järve) to maintain order, the measures to maintain order were insufficient, as evidenced by the incident itself. .
The disagreement began with an on-ice exchange of words between Vir Sputnik's Yehor Pliadiev and the Vipers' Saveli Kovalchuk, with the latter reportedly advising the former to “go back to Ukraine.”Kokuhol'. ”
Although its etymology derives from a type of hairstyle traditionally worn by Ukrainian Cossacks, the term “khohor” is now considered anti-Ukrainian, especially if the people deploying it are of Russian descent. It is defamatory.
Plyadiyev is a Ukrainian national who is playing his third season in Estonia.
The disciplinary committee says the term “kohor” is an anti-Ukrainian slur.
In its report on this episode (link in Estonian), the Disciplinary Committee further identified the following facts arising from this incident: 1) The persistence of non-Ukrainian players and players' parents against players of Ukrainian origin; xenophobic abuse. 2) Physical violence (including blows to the face) against a boy from Ukraine by one parent. 3) General brawls and brawls involving multiple parties.
The commission specifically points out the involvement of Saveli Kovalchuk.
The disciplinary panel added that it was “incomprehensible” why the ice rink's workers did not immediately notify the Police and Border Protection Authority (PPA) to stop the disturbance and identify the perpetrators.
The commission also urged victims to submit complaints to the PPA and warned that if similar behavior is repeated, Kohtla-Järve SK Viru Sputnik may be excluded from the Eesti Hoki competition. .
The disciplinary committee's protocol states that there is no place in Estonian hockey for xenophobia, racism or other insults directed at opposing players or spectators.
The values of Eesti Hoki (also known as Eesti Jäähokiliit), the Estonian sports governing body, are respect, unity, dedication and joy, the protocol adds.
In making its decision, the commission took into account various events announced by officials and officials, but did not identify any mitigating circumstances and, given the seriousness of the violation, should not penalize Saberi. He said he thought it was appropriate to give it to him. Kovalchuk was suspended for two games.
The game ended with both Pliadiev and Kovalczyk recording two minutes in the sin bin, with Tallinna Vipers winning 10-8 on record.
The Estonian U17 Ice Hockey Championship is contested by six teams, which will take up the bulk of the 20-game season.
HC Vipers sit in third place in the standings. SK Virus Sputnik ranks 5th
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