Demands for extreme punishment for a participant who made a racist gesture in the direction of a black defenseman throughout a Ukrainian Hockey League (UHL) sport have echoed across the sport, with some calling the sanction a humiliation.
HC Kremenchuk ahead Andrey Deniskin was suspended for 13 video games by the UHL after he taunted HC Donbass defenseman Jalen Smirek, the one American participant within the eight-team league, throughout a match when he tried to peel and eat a banana. was copied.
The Hockey Diversity Alliance, fashioned in 2020 by 9 present and former National Hockey League (NHL) gamers with a mission to eradicate racism and intolerance in hockey, mentioned they’ve been in contact with Smerek. “The hockey community rallies around him and this is just another example that shows that hockey is not for everyone.” The group wrote on Twitter.
We stand with Jalen and are in contact. The hockey group rallies round him and that is simply one other instance that reveals that hockey will not be for everybody. Higher officers ought to rise up and take the fitting determination. They set an instance for all.
— Hockey Diversity Coalition (@TheOfficialHDA) September 30, 2021
“The higher-ups ought to rise up and take the fitting choices. He set an instance for all. Smirek didn’t instantly reply to a Reuters request for an interview, however mentioned on Instagram that he wouldn’t play one other sport within the UHL till Deniskin is dropped from the league, which is generally made up of Ukrainian and Russian participant.
Deniskin apologized on Instagram, saying that he labored within the warmth of the second and that he respects all individuals no matter race or nationality. He later deleted the submit after he got here beneath criticism for being insincere. Akim Aliyu, president of the Hockey Diversity Alliance, who’s of Nigerian and Ukrainian descent, mentioned the punishment given to Deniskin was too quick.
“It’s an absolute embarrassment. How should we ever as POCs (people of color) trust the system when it fails to protect us at every turn. On and off the ice,” Aliyu mentioned on Twitter Wrote. Under UHL guidelines, solely three video games of Deniskin’s 13-game ban are necessary, and gamers might keep away from taking part in the remaining 10 video games if the membership pays a tremendous of fifty,000 hryvnia ($1,900). , or 5,000 hryvnia per sport.
In the primary incident, a UHL spokeswoman mentioned the punishment was in accordance with league guidelines. “For every violation there is a different price,” she mentioned. “We wouldn’t have a single racism case to punish. This is the primary such incident. Eugene Kolychev mentioned he was fired as normal supervisor of the UHL by the Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine for talking out about racism. The league confirmed that Kolichev had been fired, however declined additional remark.
$1870 for racism?! For racist actions in opposition to Donbass participant @jalen_smereckKremenchuk participant Andrey Deniskin was disqualified for 3 matches. Deniskin was additionally given 10 matches of extra disqualification or a tremendous of $1870. We demand a reconsideration of the decision! pic.twitter.com/8Elj4og6Dn
— HC Donbass (@hcdonbass) September 29, 2021
Both the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and the NHL Players Association (NHLPA) had been amongst different organizations to talk on the occasion. The NHLPA referred to as Deniskin’s actions a “disappointing act”, whereas IIHF president Luc Tariff mentioned the sport has no place. And to society for “such an outright racist” gesture.
“This is a direct attack on the ideals and values ​​of our sport, and we will ensure that all necessary ethics violations are investigated to ensure that this behavior is appropriately sanctioned,” Tardiff mentioned. Several NHL gamers making ready for the 2021–22 season condemned Deniskin’s behaviour.
Toronto Maple Leafs ahead Wayne Simmonds, some of the distinguished Black gamers within the NHL, mentioned the punishment awarded to Deniskin doesn’t deserve the offense. “It’s gotten to the point where it’s sick, it’s disgusting,” Simmonds informed reporters. “The way that man did what he did without hesitation makes me sick to my stomach.” Knowing that I’ve to play hockey and doubtlessly have my youngsters play hockey to deal with these sorts of incidents, I can see why individuals most likely do not need to play hockey.”($1 = 26.5741 hryvnia)
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
