The IFF condemns the recent declaration by the National Floorball Federation of Russia on April 2nd.

The declaration was made up of the following decisions:

1. To inform clubs and teams participating in National Floorball Federation of Russia competitions that publications or comments condemning the “special military operation” violate current National Floorball Federation of Russia legislation.
2. National Floorball Federation of Russia warns teams it is unacceptable to support the IFF’s decision to exclude the National Floorball Federation of Russia, Russian teams and athletes from participating in international competitions.
3. To oblige, clubs and teams competing in competitions held by the National Floorball Federation of Russia must remove any publications that supports either of the above mentioned points. This must be done by April 6, 2022. A public statement must also be made in which it is stated the aforementioned content and comments were made by an individual and do not reflect the position of the club or the team as a whole.
4. In case of non fulfillment of clause 3, the National Floorball Federation of Russia will suspend any team or club from all National Floorball Federation of Russia competitions for the duration of 1 year from 7 April 2022.

This declaration is in clear violation of freedom of speech and forcing clubs and individuals to be silenced for their views. There have been some voices in the Russian floorball community who have opposed the invasion of Ukraine and stood up for what they believe in, who will now be forced to be silenced by their sports federation. We acknowledge and support those Russian individuals who stand up for injustice regardless of the consequences who now cannot stand for what they believe in.

The IFF are in continued contact with the Ukrainian Floorball Federation to provide any support necessary and to help to enable their participation in the upcoming World Floorball Championships Qualifying event in May.

The IFF continues to stand in solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian Floorball Federation and hopes for a peaceful resolution to this conflict.