Hašek: Russian tennis players must be barred in Czechia even under neutral flag

Retired Czech ice hockey star Dominik Hašek says that Russian and Belarusian tennis players should not be allowed to appear at a Prague WTA tournament next week even under a neutral flag. Speaking on Czech Television on Thursday night, Hašek said that such players were citizens of those states, represented them and served as an advertisement for them.

Under government regulations, sports people from Russia and Belarus may not represent their countries on Czech soil.

Russia’s Evgeniya Rodina and Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus are registered to play in the Prague Open, which begins at the city’s Stromovka park on Monday.

The Czech police said on Thursday they would ensure government regulations were upheld in connection with the tournament.