Five members of the gold medal-winning 2018 world junior hockey team have been directed to present themselves to Canadian authorities to confront charges of sexual assault, according to a recent report.
Although the identities of the players remain undisclosed, it has been disclosed that the accusations stem from a complaint submitted in 2022 by a woman known only as “E.M.,” who claimed that she was sexually assaulted by several team members in a hotel room following a Hockey Canada gala event held in 2018 to celebrate the team’s triumph at the World Junior Ice Hockey Championship.
As per reports, the five players are anticipated to surrender to authorities in London, Ontario, though formal charges have not yet been filed against them. The London Police have declined to provide any commentary on the matter at this time.
The complaint, which was quietly resolved in 2022, outlined that after meeting some of the players at a bar, E.M. engaged in consensual sexual acts with one player in a hotel room. However, the situation escalated as seven other team members purportedly entered the room and subjected her to further sexual assaults despite her objections.
Following a settlement reached in May 2022, the investigation by the London Police was reopened the subsequent month due to a prior investigation in February 2019 that yielded no charges.
The repercussions of the allegations have had a significant impact on Hockey Canada, resulting in the loss of sponsorships and temporary funding cuts from the federal government. This has also led to the resignation of the board of directors, prompting the appointment of a new president and chief executive officer over the summer.
The scandal has had a lasting effect on Hockey Canada, and regrettably, the organisation has not yet issued a response regarding the recent allegations.
The situation underscores a troubling issue within sports, underscoring the necessity for thorough investigations and the prioritisation of the safety and well-being of all individuals involved. These serious allegations emphasize the importance of addressing and preventing acts of sexual assault within the sports community.