Ukrainian Hockey Federation makes ruling on Andrei Deniskin, who directed racist gesture at opponent

After much speculation on what the punishment might be, the governing body for hockey in the Ukraine has made its decision on Andrei Deniskin. Last weekend, Deniskin was caught on camera pretending to peel and eat a banana after mixing it up with American-born black opponent Jalen Smereck. Deniskin's actions caused outrage online, and it's likely many will be even more outraged after hearing his punishment.

The Disciplinary Committee of the Ukrainian Ice Hockey Federation, which oversees the Ukrainian Hockey League (UHL), has decided on a total suspension of 13 games. Deniskin must sit for at least three games, but can pay a fine in order to play in the other 10 if he so chooses. The fine is 5000 Ukrainian hryvnia for each game, the equivalent of $188 USD. . If Deniskin wants to play in all 10 of those games, he would forfeit about $1880 USD.

It's unlikely this punishment will sit well with many. Smereck himself called the incident the worst thing that ever happened to him in hockey, and asked for a suspension of at least a year from the UHL, and a lifetime ban against representing Ukraine on the international hockey stage.

"I'll take a few days off here and decide what I want to do with this. I'm thinking about it right now and I'm just trying to figure it out," said Smereck. "To be honest, it's up in the air. I want to see what will happen (in terms of a suspension) and regardless of what happens, I might change my mind and head home. Or I might stay. I just don't know right now. I'm in a tough headspace."

Source: UHL.ua

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