Finland's Russian athlete entry curbs set to leave Helsinki NHL games unaffected

Finland announced tighter entry restrictions for Russian professional athletes on Thursday, but the timing means this week's NHL games in Helsinki are not expected to be affected. The Associated Press reported that the measures, which take effect on Monday, come after the Seattle Kraken and Carolina Hurricanes' games in the Finnish capital.

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The Finnish foreign ministry said authorities would begin applying the new government resolution on November 16 when deciding visa applications and assessing entry and short-term stays. It covers professional sport as part of wider restrictions on non-essential work undertaken with a visa. Athletes competing without national symbols are included: neutral status does not provide an exemption from the entry rules.

The ministry said the restrictions would apply regardless of where Russian citizens travel from, including journeys through Finland to other Schengen countries. A visa issued by another Schengen state would not necessarily secure permission to enter or remain. Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen linked the decision to Russia's continuing war in Ukraine and the government's assessment of threats to Finland's international relations.

Norway separately announced plans to prevent Russian and Belarusian professional athletes and their accompanying support staff from entering for competitions. According to Meduza's reporting on the Norwegian government announcement, the justice ministry will direct immigration authorities and the national police to refuse entry to those covered by the measures. Norway said the changes would take effect soon, without specifying a date in that announcement.

Norwegian authorities said existing visa and entry controls were already restrictive, but changes made by international sports federations had opened a route for more athletes and staff to travel for events. The government intends to keep the restrictions in place while the war continues, Meduza reported. That announcement covers both Russian and Belarusian competitors, whereas Finland's newly announced measures concern Russian citizens.

The Finnish announcement follows a dispute over Russia's return to international ice hockey. Public broadcaster Yle reported that the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled earlier this month that Russian teams must be allowed back into international tournaments. Finland's new restrictions also cover neutral athletes, keeping the question of entry permission separate from the status under which a competitor participates.