German oil and additive specialist, LIQUI MOLY, has announced that it will cancel its sponsorship of the World Ice Hockey Championship if the competition retains Belarus as one of the host venues.

LIQUI MOLY is well known as a sponsor at major sporting events, with its logo a common sight at motorsports and winter games in particular. The company made the decision to sponsor the IIHF Hockey World Championship 2021 back in 2017.

The company says it is committed to fairness, respect, freedom and the protection and respect of human rights. As such, the current situation in Belarus, as well as the politics of the government, the treatment of demonstrators and obvious violations of human rights, deeply contradict LIQUI MOLY's convictions and values. For this reason, LIQUI MOLY will cancel its sponsorship of the hockey world championship if the IIHF committee maintains its decision to hold part of the event in the country.