Latvian Hockey Turned into a Scene of Conflict over Language Issues During a Match
An intense and unpredictable incident unfolded during an amateur hockey game in Latvia, drawing significant public attention due to its emotional and political implications.
Players and coaches from the teams “Prieksdiene” and “Kekava” became the center of a conflict sparked by language and political tensions.
The incident occurred when one of the opposing coach, Matiss Ribskenkis, made a provocative remark, telling a player from “Prieksdiene” to leave the ice because of his Russian-speaking background.
This statement provoked frustration and anger in the player, Denis Benke, who stated that he is a Latvian citizen paying taxes in Latvia and has Ukrainian roots — his mother hails from Horlivka.
Benke emphasized that he is ethnically Russian and speaks Russian, but this fact should not serve as grounds for discrimination or insults.
As a result of the conflict, several players received season-long disqualifications.
It is also notable that, following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) decided to ban Russia and Belarus from participating in international competitions.
Moreover, a former Ukrainian national team hockey coach was appointed as a head coach for a Russian club, sparking further debates within the sports and political communities of the region.