In 2018, a 24-year-old woman accused several players from the gold squad that won the Junior World Cup of sexual abuse. The ice hockey association reached an agreement with the woman for a secret sum, but in the spring, the TSN television channel revealed the details of the agreement.
This is the start of a scandal that seems to be gaining momentum.
Subsequently, other allegations were made against another Canadian junior team. Several players who represented Canada at the Junior World Cup in 2003 are accused of gang raping a woman. The Ice Hockey Association says they are not aware of this.
The accusations, on the other hand, have led to internal investigations, sponsorship failures, police reports and even had political consequences.
I tried to cover
The ice hockey association was called to an inquiry in parliament this week where it emerged how they paid to protect the accused players.
The union admits in questioning this week that it used money from a fund to deal with a number of sexual abuse allegations, Canadian CTV reports.
The fund that was used was created with funds from, among other things, membership fees. When it emerged that members’ funds had been used, this was stopped immediately.
According to the survey, the Ice Hockey Association has paid nearly NOK 60 million to nine different colonies since 1989, writes CTV. Then, the amount that was paid to the wife in 2018 is not included.
lost credibility
– This money was used to support the victims, not the perpetrators, explains the financial manager of the Bran Cairo association.
The payments have not previously been made public.
Several parliamentarians have said they have lost the ice hockey association’s credibility, but ice hockey president Scott Smitt has no intention of resigning.
– I am ready to take responsibility for changing the sport. I believe I have the experience to do it, he said in the interview.
The NHL has also launched its own investigation into allegations surrounding the team at the 2018 Junior World Cup. None of the eight suspected players have been named.