Four days before the start of the league, the players and the union defend themselves against pressure from ICEHL to sign a waiver of liability.
The championship of the international ice hockey league ICEHL should begin on Friday. After almost a year, finally back with fans. At the league presentation on Tuesday at Puls24, there will be a lot of talking point for another reason.
As the players 'union ice hockey players' union announced on Monday, there is massive pressure from the league that all players should sign a liability waiver under the new Covid regulations. Thus, the league could not be prosecuted even in the case of negligence.
Some players made inquiries with the union and they strongly advised against signing this clause. “That is immoral,” explains Younion chairman Alexander Tomanek. “It doesn't work with ice hockey players, it doesn't work with any employee”.
“The next time the players have to take a team bus that is being driven by a drunk bus driver and should sign when they get on that they will waive any compensation in the event of an accident,” said Tomanek.
No accommodation
Since the Presidium of the ICEHL has also refused to add to the provisions with the wording ” unless the league is to blame for it” , more than 80 players from four clubs have still not signed the Covid provisions. The league reportedly threatened not to let the teams play if the players didn't sign.
If that is the case, then of all things, the Puls24 games KAC – Capitals on Friday and Villach against Linz will not be able to take place.
However, an agreement should be possible. The league representatives will be so self-confident that they can rule out gross negligence when it comes to Covid.
In any case, the tone of voice between employers and employees in ice hockey is getting rougher. It would not be a surprise if various conflicts did not end up in court and thus in public soon.
