Dangerous Authoritarian Leader Causing IIHF To Pull 2021 Worlds From Belarus

The 2021 IIHF Men's Hockey World Champion has been pulled from Belarus after threats from sponsors and pressure from opposition groups. The safety of players, staff, and spectators cannot be guaranteed in Belarus.

It seems that the world can't get a break from politics. Belarus' authoritarian dictator, Alexander Lukashenko's controversial re-election win caused several peaceful protests to occur throughout the country. However, the government detained and arrests many who attended the protests. 

IIHF President attempted to keep Belarus as a co-host as a form of public unity. However, pressure and external forces have forced the tournament out of Belarus, leaving Latvia as the sole host for the tournament in May. 

LIQUI MOLY announces to cancel its sponsorship of the ice hockey world championship if it will take place in Belarus:https://t.co/wrOXUwZFkd#LIQUIMOLY #IIHFWorlds #belarus2021 pic.twitter.com/HPqoIBoWXy

— LIQUI MOLY (@liqui_moly_gmbh) January 17, 2021

'Impossible to ensure welfare of teams' after protests against authoritarian leader https://t.co/WaSnBKkBjO

— Hockey Night in Canada (@hockeynight) January 19, 2021