"What is he talking about? Why is he lying? It's hard for them without us!" The Champions League winner from Russia throws a tantrum over his suspension from the World Cup

Famous Russian coach Vladimir Krikunov has lashed out at the president of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), Luc Tardif, who explained the suspension of the aggressor country's national team by security concerns. The winner of the 2006 Champions League accused the official of lying and politicising the sport.

Krikunov said this in a comment to Sport24. The former athlete stated with pathos that the Russian national team will return to the World Cup very soon, and the entire hockey community is allegedly having an incredibly difficult time due to the absence of representatives of the aggressor country.

"What is he talking about? Why do you have to lie so openly? This is the most direct political decision. This Tardif was ordered from above not to let us in, so it would be better if he kept quiet. Let him look for fools in the mirror. We'll be back soon. Nothing lasts forever under the moon. In a year or a year and a half, we will be playing with everyone at the World Cup. There is no need to worry or worry. It's hard for them without us," Krikunov said.

As a reminder, at the 2023 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship, a fan was forced to take off his T-shirt with the words "Russia" on it. And the propaganda TV channel Match TV interrupted the broadcast of a tournament match because of a huge flag in support of Ukraine.

As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, the 2023 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship saw a huge sensation that fans last saw 23 years ago. In addition, for the first time in history, the Latvian national team reached the semifinals of the World Cup.

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