"Apologize to Russia": Russian hockey players forced to kiss the flag for mistakes at the World Cup

Former Russian national hockey player Maksim Afinogenov admitted that he and his teammates on the youth national team were forced to kiss the flag of the aggressor country and apologize for their mistakes on the ice. This happened at the 1999 World Championship, when Gennady Tsygurov was the coach.

Afinogenov said this in an interview with the propaganda channel Russia Today. According to the former Buffalo Sabres forward, in this way the coach of the Russian national team tried to unite the team and "instill love for the Motherland" as well as "establish a good Soviet atmosphere."

"He managed to join the team and established a Soviet atmosphere. We even made our own wall newspaper. And not just one. Every five of us drew our own. There were various jokes and jokes. In addition, we kissed the country's flag in the locker room when we made mistakes on the ice. Gennady Fedorovich said: "Apologize to Russia". But it was more in a positive way. He tried to instill in us a love for the Motherland and constantly reminded us that in Canada we don't represent clubs, but the whole country, and we have to be responsible," Afinogenov recalled.

Earlier, two-time Olympic champion Vyacheslav Fetisov called dictator Vladimir Putin one of the main reasons for his pride in Russia.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, Vyacheslav Fetisov called International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) President Luc Tardif a moron for disqualifying CSKA Moscow goaltender Ivan Fedotov. Before that, he insulted the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

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