Sanctions and a collapsing economy have already hit puck teams in Russia.
Aljona Starovoitova has been SKIF’s best player. AOP
The number one team of the Russian Women’s League SKIF Nizhni Novgorod has not been able to pay this year’s salaries of players, coaches and guardians. At the beginning of February, players and other staff received their salaries last December, but no salaries have been paid for this year.
According to the news agency Tassi, the Ministry of Sports of the Nizhny Novgorod region reported on the situation in the club.
– The management of the club assured that all unpaid salaries will be paid to the players in the near future. According to the club’s management, the delay in the payment of salaries is due to technical reasons, the press service of the Ministry of Sports said.
SKIF said the predicament could lead to the club not playing in the playoffs at all. The reason is that the club does not have money for travel expenses for the away game.
SKIF is scheduled to play the final games of the regular season on Tuesday and Wednesday. At that time, the Chinese team Shenzhen Kunlun Red Star Prisoner Ray, who will be played by the goalkeeper Noora Rätydefenders Anna Kilponen and Minttu Tuominen as well as attackers Michelle Karvinen and Susanna Tapani.
SKIF leads the series after scoring 88 points in 34 matches. Vanke Rays, who is second, has collected 79 points from 34 games.
On February 24, Russia launched a war of aggression against Ukraine. The US, EU and UK have imposed extensive sanctions on Russia, Russian companies and individuals.
Russia has been shut down at all levels from all international hockey for at least two years.