Czech foreign minister apologises for remarks about female ice hockey players

Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka (Motorists) has apologised for controversial remarks about women’s ice hockey, acknowledging that his comments were highly inappropriate. Over the weekend, Macinka described ice hockey as a men’s sport and referred to Russian female players as “mannish women” while discussing their possible participation in January’s Under-18 World Championship in Ostrava. His remarks prompted widespread criticism from Czech female and male hockey players. Macinka said he had telephoned the general manager of the Czech women’s national team to apologise personally. He added that he deeply regretted the impact his words had on Czech women’s ice hockey.