The International Ice Hockey Federation decided to cancel the World Championship in Switzerland.

The fact that the Ice Hockey World Championship does not take place did not become a sensation. A few days ago, the head of IIHF Rene Fasel admitted that deciding to cancel the tournament was a matter of a couple of days. And on Saturday it was accepted and voiced.

The reason for this decision was COVID-19 pandemic. “Given the circumstances and having discussions with various stakeholders, the IIHF Council decided that the 2020 world ice hockey championship in Zurich and Lausanne will not take place,” the statement said.

“This is a harsh reality to face for the international ice hockey family, but one that we must accept,” said IIHF President René Fasel. “The coronavirus is a global problem and requires major efforts by government bodies to combat its spread. The IIHF must do all it can to support this fight. We have to set sport aside for now and support both the government bodies and the ice hockey family.”

“We accept this decision of the IIHF Council,” said Gian Gilli, General Secretary for the 2020 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Organizing Committee. “But of course, this is a huge disappointment for the Organizing Committee. It is an exceptional situation for all concerned, and it is now a question of resolving all the outstanding issues.”

IIHF also said that there was simply no way to host a tournament in another country.

Representatives of the organizing committee of the World Championship adopted and supported the decision to cancel the tournament. The congress of the organization, which was supposed to be held in Zurich on May 21-23, will also not take place.