The story of the return of Miks Indrashis to the KHL is becoming more and more bizarre. At first, the transfer of the Latvian hockey player to Spartak was presented by the press as a real feat. It’s no joke, for the sake of moving to Russia, a player from the Baltics violated the law of his native country! A flurry of criticism from compatriots hit the attacker, for which he seemed to be ready …

However, soon after Spartak officially announced the transfer of Indrashis, the hockey player … accused the club of lying! Now Meeks has taken a patriotic stance and is trying his best to keep himself out of touch with Russia. But no one seems to believe the player anymore.

Will the case go to court?

From hero to traitor

The transfer of Miks Indrashis to Spartak became known at the end of June. Then the decision of the hockey player shocked many: in Russia they were surprised at the courage of the player, and in Latvia – at his treachery.

The fact is that the return to the KHL should have created serious problems for the former star of the Riga Dynamo. Firstly, back in April, the Latvian Seimas adopted a very resonant amendment to the law on national sports, according to which local teams and players are prohibited from playing in Russian tournaments. The punishment for the corresponding misconduct is excommunication from the national team.

Photo: © RvS.Media / Monika Majer / Contributor / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

Secondly, it is clear that the attitude towards this or that athlete in the case of transfer to Russia in the country would change instantly. This is what happened in the case of Indrasis. Already a day after the news of his transfer to Spartak, social networks were filled with curses from the Latvians against Meeks. Compatriots immediately called the nine-time participant in the World Cup as part of the Latvian national team an “enemy” and a “traitor to the nation.” Guardians of public morality wrote nasty things even to the children of a hockey player! There seemed to be no turning back for Indrashis.

“I am a Latvian patriot”

However, at the last moment, Meeks seems to have decided to back out. On July 5, the hockey player made an unexpected statement, actually accusing Spartak of slander. According to the hockey player, Muscovites were simply offended by him for refusing to play in Russia. And now, apparently, they are taking revenge:

– I am a Latvian patriot, and my attitude towards my country has always been expressed on the ice. Nine world championships in a row in the national team jersey! I saw that these days many write: “Now you can see his true position on this situation.” I want to say the same about all the people who expressed their inadequate opinion about me based on unconfirmed information, assuming that this is the only truth,” Indrashis said.

Mix Indrasis / Photo: © FC Dynamo

Spartak’s response to Meeks’ attack was not long in coming. The club reacted as calmly as possible, while making a clear hint for the player. If Indrasis wants to evade his obligations, he will either have to sue the club or pay a contractual penalty. And this, according to some sources, is more than 10 million rubles.

— The contract between HC Spartak Moscow and Miks Indrashis was signed in accordance with the regulations and registered with the Central Information Bureau of the KHL. All KHL contracts are recognized by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and must be executed. The issue of the current contract between HC Spartak Moscow and Miks Indrashis will be decided in the legal field, and not in the public space, the club said.

Despite the statements of Indrashis, there is no reason to doubt Spartak’s information: if the transfer is indeed registered with the KHL CIB, it will be very problematic for Mix to prove his case.

Moreover, now the Latvian hockey player may face even greater trouble. If he really signed a contract with another club, having an agreement with Spartak, Muscovites may well file a lawsuit with the International Ice Hockey Federation, since sports law prohibits such things. And then Mix will have to deal not only with the Russian club, but also with the hockey authorities.

However, the hockey player himself has clearly found a way out for himself. It looks like Meeks is planning to use a political trump card: it is not without reason that Indrashis emphasized patriotism in his address. However, in such a losing situation, even politicians may refuse to stand up for a hockey player who overnight drove his career to a standstill. Now, it seems, the Latvian is not trusted anywhere.