KHL: "Foreign clubs will start season in Russia

29 Jul 2020Davide Tuniz»

KHL President Alexei Morozov said non-Russian clubs will start the season in Russia and may stay there until the issue of crossing borders between states is resolved.

KHL President Alexei Morozov told RIA Novosti agency foreign clubs competing in the KHL will start the regular season in Russia and may be delayed until the issue of crossing borders between states is resolved

"We will make a calendar taking into account the current situation". - said Morozov - "Foreign clubs, according to the plan, will have to start the season playing in Russia. If they have problems at home, they can stay here and play some matches on our territory. There are regions that have arenas that comply with the KHL regulations and are ready to host such clubs. It will not take long to prepare the palace for official matches"

“We are in touch with the management of all clubs. In Kazakhstan, for example, the situation is normalizing, the club has adjusted its pre-season training plan. As for the Minsk and Riga Dinamo, we are waiting for the clubs to sign contracts with the players and go through the application procedure for the season. We will have an understanding of how many imports will be in their squads. Yes, we have a plan "A", there is a plan "B". But everything goes to the fact that the situation is normalized, and we will be able to play as usual" added the KHL President

The KHL is due to start on September 2. The clubs playing in the league based outside the Russian territory are: Jokerit Helsinki (Finland), Dinamo Riga (Latvia), Dinamo Minsk (Belarus), Barys Nur-Sultan (Kazakhstan). Chinese club Kunlun Red Star, playing usually in Beijing, has already announced plans to hold home matches in Mytishchi near Moscow due to difficulties with crossing borders in connection with the coronavirus pandemic.