World ice hockey association has “Plan B” for World Cup in Belarus

His visit on Monday to the Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko with various demands turned into a communication fiasco after TV pictures and photos of a warm welcome between the two made the rounds. Fasel has come under corresponding pressure. The 70-year-old Fasel said in an SDA interview that he was “taken by surprise” by the situation. The pictures did not in any way do justice to the content of the conversation. The meeting, which Lukashenko apparently staged for PR purposes contrary to all agreements made in advance, may not have increased the chances that Minsk will be allowed to host the World Cup in the spring (together with the Latvian capital Riga). For Fasel, “it is true without any ifs and buts” that “we will under no circumstances hold a World Cup that will be exploited by political circles, neither by the government nor by the opposition.” Clear words He wanted to convey this point of view to Lukashenko personally: “We had a tough conversation and made it clear to him that the World Cup could not take place in Belarus if things continued like this.” Belarus is on its feet after the alleged election fraud in the summer and the subsequent escalations of violence against demonstrators under massive international pressure. Fasel had seen an opportunity “to hold the tournament as an occasion for reconciliation, at which a dialogue between the government and the opposition can take place.” During the conversation on Monday, Fasel had to state that although Lukashenko was “ready for dialogue with his people,” he was “not going to kneel before anyone.” “We have since past “A plan B in the fall.” René Fasel The discussions became difficult when it came to the constitution and the political system, said Fasel. “Lukashenko takes the position that he is responsible for the country’s security and cannot allow anything to endanger it.” For the IIHF, it is now a matter of “bringing calm to the matter” and addressing all “legal questions”. clarify and then make a “rational decision” regarding the World Cup. The decision as to whether Belarus will co-host the World Cup is expected to be made at a meeting of the IIHF Council at the end of January. In the event of a withdrawal, the IIHF is of course prepared. “We have had a Plan B since last fall,” said Fasel in an interview. Slovakia and Denmark have signaled their interest in stepping in as a second venue alongside Riga. And there is also the possibility of “holding the entire tournament in Latvia.”

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World ice hockey association has “Plan B” for World Cup in Belarus

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