Advertisement

Updated September 13th, 2019 at 23:56 IST

Swedish boycott leads to cancellation of Four Nations Tournament

The Swedish Ice Hockey Federation has canceled the Four Nations women’s hockey tournament in November because it can’t guarantee its players’ participation

Reported by: Manogya Singh
Swedish boycott
| Image:self
Advertisement

The Swedish Ice Hockey Federation has canceled the Four Nations women’s hockey tournament in November because it can’t guarantee its players’ participation due to an ongoing pay dispute.

  Sweden's top players boycott their national team

The federation announced the decision on Friday and noted that the uncertainty regarding their players’ status has made it difficult for the three other  competing nations to make travel plans. The tournament was scheduled to feature teams from Finland, the United States, and Canada. Sweden’s top players are boycotting their national team because they are unhappy over pay and working conditions.

Read | FIFA Women's World Cup: Netherlands Defeat Sweden, Enters Finals

The players skipped a Five Nations tournament held in Finland in August because of the strike, and have yet to agree on a new contract with the federation. They have also formed a union and raised numerous complaints about their previous deal, which expired in April. Players are unhappy over their compensation, while also having to fit work and family schedules around national team requirements.

Other complaints included travel conditions and schedules, the short and long-term vision for women’s hockey in Sweden and a perceived lack of respect.

Read | Pakistan Hockey Team Coach Khawaja Junaid Faces Revolt From Team

The Swedish players are following in the steps of U.S. women’s national team members who were successful in landing better compensation after threatening to boycott the 2017 World Championships being held on American soil.

PWHPA’s support

In May, more than 200 of the world’s top players pledged to boycott playing in North America this season in a push to establish a women’s professional league with what they say must be a sustainable economic model. They have since formed a union, the Professional Women's Hockey Players' Association, to represent them. The Swedish players have the PWHPA’s support.

Read | Netizens Hail This Indian Hockey Player As She Continued To Play In The FIH Series Finals Hockey Tournament Despite Her Father's Demise

“It’s tough to see, for sure, but I think it really speaks to the fact that we are all only as strong as our weakest link,” PWHPA board member Liz Knox wrote in a text to The Associated Press. “We support them striving for better because, in the end, women’s hockey as a whole will be better for it.”

Anders Larsson, Chairman of the Swedish Ice Hockey Federation, last month said that the boycott is damaging the brand of the country’s hockey team and is a failure for both the federation and the Swedish team.

Read: ‘Exceptional Game, Excellent Outcome!’: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Congratulates Indian Women’s Hockey Team As They Win FIH Series Finals Tournament

Advertisement

Published September 13th, 2019 at 21:52 IST

Your Voice. Now Direct.

Send us your views, we’ll publish them. This section is moderated.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending Quicks

AR Rahman, Ram Charan
a minute ago
File Photo of PM Narendra Modi
3 minutes ago
Elon Musk X lawsuit
4 minutes ago
Shahjahan Sheikh in CBI Custody: First Visual Emerges | WATCH
4 minutes ago
Hardik Pandya
10 minutes ago
India Registers stern objection to US remarks on Kejriwal
11 minutes ago
MS Dhoni story from IPL 2023
19 minutes ago
Government Approves Major Bureaucratic Rejig with Key Appointments | LIVE
19 minutes ago
Bollywood actor Govinda
24 minutes ago
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Whatsapp logo