Hockey Finland’s next race host is said to be influenced by political reasons: Hungarian Prime Minister did not want to step on Russia’s toes

Hungary and Slovenia withdrew from the application process for next year’s World Hockey Championships on Monday.

The retreat of Hungary and Slovenia means that the 2023 Games will be played in Finland and Latvia. There are no other applicants.

According to the Hungarian Hockey Association, the competition project did not receive the necessary funding, but Insidethegames by The reasons for Hungary’s withdrawal would in fact be political.

According to the site, the Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban would not have supported the country’s race host. He does not want to take responsibility for organizing the tournament, which was originally scheduled to be played in Russia and which both Russia and Belarus are likely to close, Insidethegames writes.

Orban recently began his fourth consecutive term as prime minister. Hungary has officially condemned the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine and received refugees.

International The hockey association IIHF is expected to confirm the Finnish and Latvian hosts at its meeting on Friday.

The first blocks of next year’s World Cup will be held in Tampere and Riga. Medal matches will be played in the Nokia Arena.

The World Championships were also held in Latvia last year. Russia lost the tournament due to the war in Ukraine.

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