Slovak hockey enters the Olympic season with an official 25-member nomination. In Milan, Italy, he will try to defend his bronze medals under the leadership of Vladimír Országh. As the portal informs, the recent statements of the former MEP Ivan Štefanec regarding hockey players they lifted legendary striker Vincent Lukáč and renowned coach Július Šupler from their chairs.
The main point of discussion is presence three hockey players working in the Russian KHL – Martin Gernát (Lokomotiv Yaroslavl), Adam Ružička (Spartak Moscow) and Adam Liška (Severstal Čerepovec). These players returned to the national team already during the summer Olympic qualification after a two-year break forced by the military conflict in Ukraine.
This decision significantly polarizes the public. While some fans accept their return, others vehemently reject it due to the ongoing war. Ivan Štefanec, a former member of the National People’s Republic of Slovakia and the European Parliament, did not spare harsh criticism either.
“Terrorist hockey players appeared in Slovakia’s Olympic nomination, which made the Slovak Ice Hockey Association a huge shame for our country. Martin Gernát, Adam Liška and Adam Ružička preferred blood money in a competition run by the government of a terrorist state, which has been committing genocide against the innocent people of a neighboring country for the fourth year. stated on Thursday, January 8th at .
He didn’t put a napkin in front of his mouth. “Their complicity was their personal fault, but since this moral waste became part of the Slovak national team, this enormous shame became the shame of every Slovak citizen.” he emphasized.
In the past, the former member of the KDH party encouraged the Slovak team at the biggest world events, but today, according to his words, he only feels humiliation and opposition to the leadership, which is supposed to be responsible for the current direction of the national team. He emphasized that sporting success has no value if it is redeemed by the loss of character and moral principles.
The former politician’s words really angered hockey star Vincent Lukáč. “The statement from Mr. Štefanec is tragic. To speak about our boys in this way is tragic. That can’t be read or listened to, so I totally disagree with it… The boys want to earn money, play somewhere, it has nothing to do with the war. It’s unbelievable how society can be divided in opinion,” the ex-striker complains.
He drew attention to the quality of the team and refused to connect hockey with politics. “What will Mr. Štefanec say about the USA when they attacked Venezuela? Shouldn’t players from America go now? Is it the same, or does it only apply to Russia? Moreover, in my opinion, there are still few boys from the KHL in the nomination. However, the team looks capable after years and can easily surprise with a bit of luck. Vladimír Országh put together the best we have. The KHL is a good league and the same applies to the players who play in it. This has nothing to do with politics,” he emphasized.
Štefanec’s opinion also angered coach Július Šupler. “Let the politicians take care of politics and let them do good for the people. I have already said several times that I would not associate KHL players with politics, war and so on. They are quality hockey players and that is why they should be in the national team. Just let the politicians do what they understand, for the people. We have quality players in the KHL, so I have nothing more to add. I am not a supporter of politicians taking care of sports,” said the man who twice led the hockey national team.
