BREAKING - NHL Sides With Ivan Provorov's Religion and Cancels Pride Jerseys
PUBLICATION
S. HarperMarch 11, 2023 (2:04 PM)
This season one very controversial topic has been the NHL's Pride Night games, but more importantly the Pride Jerseys.
We've seen it started with Flyers defenceman Ivan Provorov refusing to wear them, due to what he said was religious reasons. Since then, numerous teams have just refused to participate, now the NHL has appeared to cancel the Pride night's all together.
According to Michael Russo and Joe Smith of The Athletic:
The NHL teams are removing pride jerseys to protect Russian players from consequences at home.
Russian players who participate in these pride nights could potentially receive arrest warrants in their home country, which could be detrimental to their lives after their time in the NHL.
Russia updated its anti-gay laws in December, making it illegal to spread "propaganda" about "nontraditional sexual relations" in all media, including social, advertising, and movies. Ben Noble, an associate professor of Russian politics at University College London, says that Russian players are "absolutely" at risk should they wear pride-themed warm-up jerseys. "These are legitimate fears," Noble commented that.
"If you put on a Pride jersey, then there is uncertainty regarding how this would be interpreted by law enforcement in Russia�and that's a risk. The authorities have the power to enforce this and other legislation selectively. It's up to them to decide whom they go after."
Russian players who participate in these pride nights could potentially receive arrest warrants in their home country, which could be detrimental to their lives after their time in the NHL.
Russia updated its anti-gay laws in December, making it illegal to spread "propaganda" about "nontraditional sexual relations" in all media, including social, advertising, and movies. Ben Noble, an associate professor of Russian politics at University College London, says that Russian players are "absolutely" at risk should they wear pride-themed warm-up jerseys. "These are legitimate fears," Noble commented that.
"If you put on a Pride jersey, then there is uncertainty regarding how this would be interpreted by law enforcement in Russia�and that's a risk. The authorities have the power to enforce this and other legislation selectively. It's up to them to decide whom they go after."
Credit:Habs Fanatics
| POLL | ||
11 MARS | 123 ANSWERS BREAKING - NHL Sides With Ivan Provorov's Religion and Cancels Pride Jerseys Do you agree with the NHL's decision to cancel pride night? | ||
| Yes | 90 | 73.2 % |
| No | 33 | 26.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
Latest 10 stories
