This kind of hockey: The KHL has purged its journalists

The Kontinental Hockey League has denied seasonal accreditation to Alexey Shevchenko, a special correspondent for Sport-Express. This document gives media representatives the opportunity to work in the areas of the arenas designated for journalists, including in the press box, the mixed zone and at press conferences. The league rejected Shevchenko's application. At the same time, a specific publication, statement, or episode involving a journalist that the KHL considered a violation of the accreditation rules was not mentioned either publicly or in informal conversations with Sport-Express. Along with Alexey, a number of representatives of the Russian media, who had previously been noted by the league itself as the best authors writing about hockey, did not receive accreditation.

Who is Alexey Shevchenko?

Shevchenko has been working in sports journalism since 1993. He started his career in Perm, worked in regional media and television, and moved to Moscow in 2001. Since 2016, he has been working at Sport Express. He is also the author and presenter of the daily hockey program "A Day with Alexey Shevchenko".

About 60,000 people have subscribed to the journalist's Telegram channel. A significant part of his work over the years has been devoted to Russian hockey and the KHL.

At the same time, Shevchenko's work has been repeatedly noted by the league itself. In 2013, he won the KHL's Best Journalist award. 11 years later, Shevchenko became the winner of this nomination again: in May 2024, he was recognized as the best journalist based on the results of the KHL and FONBET project.

Shevchenko is known for harsh statements and regularly criticizes the decisions of clubs and leaders of Russian hockey. He regularly publishes insider information — before the official messages of the clubs and the league.

But it was not only Shevchenko who was left without seasonal accreditation. Sport-Express columnist Yuri Golyshak, who has been working for the publication since 1998, and one of the co-authors of the famous Friday Conversation column, also did not receive it. In 2010, he was recognized by the KHL as the best hockey journalist in Russia.

The well-known journalist Daria Tuboltseva, who previously worked for the Championship and Sport24, also received a refusal. She covered the 2022 Olympics, the World Championships and the final series of the Gagarin Cup, and is now developing her own Telegram channel.

What was stated in the "Sport-Express"

On August 20, Sport-Express issued an official statement in connection with the refusal of accreditation. In it, the editors drew attention to the lack of a specific explanation of the decision.

"This decision has not been officially substantiated. Some statements by the journalist were mentioned in informal conversations, but the references to them and specific claims were very vague," the statement said.

SE emphasized Shevchenko's long-term connection with Russian hockey and his role in covering the KHL.

"For Alexey, Russian hockey is not just a topic of work. It's an environment he's lived in for decades, knows people, clubs, the league, players and coaches. And that is why the current decision looks particularly strange," the statement says.

The editors also recalled that just two years ago, Shevchenko was recognized as the best journalist of the KHL season by a vote organized by the league itself.

SE linked the situation not only to a specific journalist, but also to the principles of interaction between sports organizations and the media.

"You may not like a critical look, an independent position, and uncomfortable questions. But they are the ones that distinguish journalism from information support and the work of a PR service," the appeal says.

The publication believes that if there are claims against a journalist, the league should openly state their reasons.: specify the violated point of the rules, cite a specific episode and explain the decision made.

The editorial board also warned that the situation could go far beyond the KHL's relationship with one journalist or one editorial office.

"Today, without explaining the reasons, Shevchenko is being deprived of his seasonal accreditation. Tomorrow, he may be replaced by a journalist or blogger from any other publication, whose position may seem too critical or inconvenient to someone," the newspaper said.

At the same time, Sport-Express is not going to stop covering the championship in response to the league's decision. The statement notes that the editors could announce a boycott of the KHL or significantly reduce the number of materials about the tournament.

"We will not do this. Because it would primarily affect clubs, hockey players and fans who are not involved in the decision," the statement said.

SE will continue to cover the KHL and Russian hockey in full, but intends to seek a review of the decision. The publication also expects that the story will receive wide coverage in sports and other media, as well as Telegram channels.

"This is not just a question of Alexey Shevchenko and Sport-Express. This is a matter of professional principles of the entire journalistic environment," the statement said.

The editors formulated the final position unambiguously: The KHL should review the decision and grant Shevchenko seasonal accreditation.

"You can't talk for decades about the development and popularization of hockey, and then close the doors to those who have been living this hockey for decades," concluded Sport-Express.

The League has not yet responded to this statement.