DUESSELDORF, Germany (AP) — Sweden and Norway joined Finland in pledging to boycott games against Russia at the ice hockey world championship and another leading sponsor threatened to walk out as a rift in the sport deepened Tuesday.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled last week that the International Ice Hockey Federation must reinstate Russian teams, beginning with the world juniors starting next month in Canada. Finland announced Monday it is rallying other nations to boycott games against Russia.
The Swedish hockey federation said its board decided Tuesday that it would not play against Russia but would still play other world championship games. That was a turnaround from last week, after Sweden initially indicated a boycott was off the table after the CAS ruling Friday.
“The Three Crowns will not play Russia in coming world championship tournaments,” federation head Anders Larsson said in a statement, using the team's nickname.
The Swedish statement came shortly after Norway announced its boycott.
“Our position is that Russia should be excluded from all international championships as long as the war in Ukraine continues and remains unchanged,” the Norwegian Ice Hockey Association said in a statement. “At the same time, this decision is based on our responsibility to protect the safety and wellbeing of our players, team staff and their families. We believe that playing Russia under the current circumstances could expose our players and team staff to significant security risks. Our priority is therefore their mental health, wellbeing and personal safety.”
Norway only referred to the men's world championship in May in its statement.
Asked about the world juniors starting in Canada next month, NIHA general secretary Petter Salsten told The Associated Press that Norway would potentially be removed from the tournament by the IIHF to make way for Russia anyway.
In that case, “if RUS is added, it is a huge possibility that NOR is out," he wrote via email, because Norway was the last team to qualify.
The IIHF did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Finland and Norway's refusal to play Russia.
Finland is the defending men's world champion and Norway was the bronze medal-winner this year.
Norway joining the boycott means that at least one team in each of the two groups of the 16-team tournament has now pledged not to play Russia. Reports in Latvian media have indicated Latvia could refuse to play Russia as well.
Finnish tire manufacturer Nokian Tyres said it will no longer sponsor the world championship if Russia takes part.
Tiina Frazer, senior vice president for brand, marketing and communications, said that “under the current circumstances, continuing the sponsorship if Russia participates would not be aligned with our values.”
That comes a day after Swedish furniture maker AJ Products, a tournament sponsor since 1989, said it would ask for its logo not to be shown if Russia plays.
Previously, the chief executive of Germany's hockey federation said it could pull out of hosting the men's world championship next year over concerns about costs and security.
Junior tournaments are affected too, with the Finnish city of Turku saying it will not co-host next year's world juniors if Russia participates.
The Czech government could bar Russian players entry for the women's under-18 world championship there in January.
One political figure in support of Russia's return is Slovakia's pro-Russian Prime Minister Robert Fico.
“I’ve also always wondered what the value of a gold medal is, if on the way to it you don’t have to beat the Russian hockey players, who are undoubtedly among the best in the world," he posted on social media Saturday.
The women's world championship starting in Denmark this week is not affected by the CAS ruling and is going ahead without Russia.
Karel Janicek in Prague contributed to this report.
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FILE - Norway's players celebrate after winning the bronze medal ice hockey match between Canada and Norway at the 2026 IIHF Men's Ice Hockey World Championship in Zurich, Switzerland, on May 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic, File)
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Spanish police have opened an investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter after a soccer player died following an on-field collision in a second-division match.
The country’s National Police said Tuesday that proceedings were opened and prosecutors will also be involved.
Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel died after he suffered cardiac arrest from the on-field collision in a Spanish second-division match, his club said. He was 30.
De Miguel was challenging for the ball near midfield on Monday when he was struck in the chest by the onrushing Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono during added time.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back for updates. AP’s earlier story follows below.
Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel has died after he suffered cardiac arrest from an on-field collision in a Spanish second-division match, his club said Tuesday. He was 30.
De Miguel was challenging for the ball near midfield on Monday when he was struck in the chest by the onrushing Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono during added time.
Owono was shown a straight red card for the incident.
De Miguel was taken to a hospital and the match, tied 2-2, was abandoned after the incident.
Tenerife said in a statement to Spanish media late Monday that De Miguel suffered cardiac arrest but that his pulse was restored in the ambulance to the hospital. However, it later said his condition had “worsened neurologically” and subsequently announced that De Miguel had died at 8 a.m.
The club located on Spain's Canary Islands said it was “heartbroken.”
De Miguel, a Madrid native, made his professional debut in 2015 with Leganés B and has since played for a number of lower-divisions clubs in Spain. He joined Tenerife last year.
“There are no words of comfort,” the club statement read. “There is absolutely nothing that can alleviate this profound sense of sorrow. We stand with his devastated family, his loved ones, and the entire Tenerife community.”
The heavy collision happened when Owono rushed out of his area all the way to midfield to challenge for a long ball that De Miguel was trying to reach.
De Miguel initially curled on his knees, clutching his torso for a few seconds, before he fell over onto his back, with his arms falling to his sides.
Owono was walking off the field after being shown the red card but turned around and joined the other players rushing to check on De Miguel.
Andorra, which is owned by former Barcelona star Gerard Pique, also offered its condolences, along with other clubs, the Spanish soccer federation and La Liga.
“We wish to extend our deepest condolences to the family of Jesús de Miguel, to all his colleagues and friends, and to CD Tenerife. May he rest in peace,” Andorra said in a statement.
The players of Real Madrid held a minute of silence for De Miguel during training, while fellow topflight club Espanyol postponed the presentation of its new coach.
English clubs Manchester United and Liverpool joined in offering their condolences on social media.
The Spanish soccer federation postponed two Copa del Rey matches and one Copa de la Reina matches to be held later on Tuesday.
Life-threatening injuries from collisions in soccer are extremely rare.
Last year in Spain, a 19-year-old goalkeeper died from head injuries suffered during a collision in a fifth-division match. Colindres goalkeeper Raúl Ramírez had two cardiorespiratory arrests, one on the field and then in the ambulance while being transported to a hospital. He was declared brain dead two days later.
In 2001, Ukrainian goalkeeper Serhiy Perkhun was playing for CSKA Moscow when he died from head injuries received in a collision during a match.
See AP’s full soccer coverage here
Andorra players react after FC Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel collides with Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono during a soccer match in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (AP Photo)
Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono reacts after colliding with FC Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel during a soccer match in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (AP Photo)
Players from Andorra and Tenerife react after Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel collides with Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono during a soccer match in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (AP Photo)
FC Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel, left, duels for the ball during a soccer match against Andorra in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (AP Photo)
FC Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel is carried on a stretcher after colliding with Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono during a soccer match in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (AP Photo)
