IIHF pulls hockey worlds from Belarus, seeks host

ZURICH — The hockey world championships were pulled from Belarus on Monday following pressure from opposition groups and a threatened boycott.

International Ice Hockey Federation cited safety concerns and said it will seek a new country to co-host the tournament with Latvia.

Criticism of Belarus’ role as co-host grew after authoritarian president Alexander Lukashenko’s disputed reelection last year was followed by mass arrests at peaceful demonstrations.

IIHF president Rene Fasel had tried to keep the tournament in Belarus, claiming it could build bridges between the opposition and Lukashenko.

Three sponsors of the tournament, Skoda, Nivea and Liqui Moly, said they would cancel their involvement if games were played in Belarus.

The IIHF said it will now consider where to host the event, and said Latvia could remain a co-host or the championships could move to a single venue. Denmark, the host in 2018, and Slovakia, the host in 2019, have both offered to step in.