League finally cracks down on racist player
The Ukrainian Hockey League has revealed its verdict. Forward Andrei Deniskin has been suspended for 13 games, three of which he is forced not to play. For the remaining 10 games, he has the option to buy them back for a total of 5,000 hryvnias (money used there), which would be equivalent to $188 US dollars per game.
Let's remember that Deniskin had made an unacceptable gesture towards Jalen Smereck. Deniskin had imitated the action of eating a banana, in order to taunt his opponent. An incredibly racist and disgusting gesture from the Ukrainian.
Smereck had publicly stated that he would not play another game as long as Deniskin was not banned from the UHL. Deniskin was suspended, but Smereck's wish was not heard...
This suspension is a real "joke" and it sends the wrong signals. It clearly shows that what Deniskin did is not that serious with the UHL, which is totally ridiculous... Will he learn from this? Probably not, considering the small suspension he was given.
We are in 2021 and this kind of action has no place in sports and even less in everyday life. Let's hope that the league will change its mind, because for the moment, as a good Quebecer, this is a very bad decision...
