August 8, 2006

IIHF

The case concerns the infraction of the IIHF Playing Rules by the Swedish player Mika Hannula at the semi-final game between Sweden and Canada during the 2006 IIHF World Championship in Riga, Latvia when the Swedish player cross-checked the Canadian player Sidney Crosby to the neck and head area.

At its formal session on 2nd August 2006, the Deciding Panel of the IIHF Disciplinary Committee decided that the player Mr. Mika Hannula of the Swedish Ice Hockey Federation, in addition to the suspension for the final of the 2006 IIHF World Championship, will be suspended for the first four games at the 2007 IIHF World Championship (in Moscow, Russia) played by Sweden and has to pay a fine of CHF 5.000.

After reviewing the video of the game, the Deciding Panel of the IIHF Disciplinary Committee decided at its session on June 20, 2006 in Z?to initiate a disciplinary proceeding according to IIHF Disciplinary Regulations Article 3.1.

The Deciding Panel of the Disciplinary Committee comes to the conclusion that the penalties imposed by the referee and the Tournament Directorate (a one-game suspension) are not sufficient to penalize the dangerous attack by Mika Hannula against the Canadian player Sidney Crosby.

The video of the game as well as the reports of the Game Supervisor and of the Referee Supervisor prove that the check against the Canadian player was delivered from behind to the right side of neck and head with both hands on the stick (cross-check, Rule 525). The attack happened on the right hand side of the Swedish goal, when the Canadian player was celebrating the goal just scored by him. The stick, which was held horizontally with stretched arms, hit the neck of the opposing player at the base of the crane. The player was shoved in the direction of the board so that he hit the board with his shoulder.

The Deciding Panel concludes that in compliance with IIHF Disciplinary Regulations Article 4.3 the cross-check delivered by Mr. Hannula is to be considered as a gross infringement taking into account that the attack was deliberate, intentional and with the obvious risk of causing severe bodily injury to the opposing player.

Acording to article 3.6 of the IIHF Disciplinary Regulations, the player has the right to appeal. The appeal must be submitted to the IIHF Council in written form and should be received within 30 days from receipt of this decision.