Artūrs Irbe once made a choice and changed the Soviet Union to Latvia.
Artūrs Irbe represented Latvia at the Turin Olympics in 2006. EPA / AOP
Former Latvian NHL goalkeeper and also played in the Soviet national team Arthur Irbe gave his direct opinion about Russia and Latvian players fleeing there.
A regulation came into force in Latvia, with which athletes competing in Russia and Belarus are no longer granted state subsidies. At the same time, the athlete no longer has anything to do with the Latvian national team.
Several top hockey players have received attractive offers from the KHL, and some of the regular faces of the Latvian national team have grabbed deals.
Irbe knows that the KHL rubles offer the players a hefty bankroll compared to other European teams.
– Everyone should think about what they are actually paid for. The salaries are even too high, so we can conclude that the players are paid for more than hockey. There they are paid for promoting Russia and making their propaganda, Irbe shot Sportacentrs on the website.
Two KHL players
So far, two Latvian national team players have signed a KHL contract for next season. The goalkeeper known from Jokers and Tappara Janis Kalnins and was at the spring World Championships Nikolajs Yeļiseevs they chose the KHL money rather than the national team shirt.
Also Why Indrašis? was said to have signed a contract with Spartak Moscow, but the man dismissed the contract as meaningless on social media and accused the KHL club of lying.
Even if the players go to Russia only for hockey, according to Irbe, they don’t necessarily understand that it’s about something else as well.
– There will still be moments when Latvian players’ shirts will be decorated with the Russian patriotic emblem. Before the game, stand in a line and the players must sing the Russian national anthem. They may have to pay tribute to Russia’s invincible army in front of the public, Irbe said.
In Irbe’s opinion, things can quickly go downhill in Russia. He brings up the recent case of the Russian goalkeeper From Ivan Fedotovwho tried to go to the NHL to play, but fell into the teeth of the Russian army.
– In my opinion, as a player in Russia, you become their slave. In the worst case, you don’t know where you will find yourself. You have to choose your side there. If you choose wrongly, you can be subjugated.
Right decision
Janis Kalnins, who moved from Jokers to Tappara at the end of last season, is one of the few Latvian players who signed a contract with Russia for next season. Elmeri Elo / All Over Press
Irbe once represented the Soviet Union’s national team, until he left the money he received there on the table and moved to the ranks of the independent Latvia to play in 1996.
– We have been part of the Soviet Union. As a state, we know what it’s like to be without a flag, a national anthem and, for the most part, without our own language. We are still fighting for our identity. We cannot afford to remain in the way, Irbe said.
According to the goalkeeper legend, the country’s decision to ban athletes from going to Russia was the right one.
– I agree that people who break this law should not be allowed to represent the national team. They make their own decision about it.