Russia coach Oleg Znarok suspended for final against Finland for obscene gesture

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Russian national hockey team coach Oleg Znarok is pictured in Moscow, Russia, March, 28, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Denis Tyrin

MINSK, Belarus – Russia coach Oleg Znarok was banned for the ice hockey world championship final against Finland for making an obscene gesture toward Sweden assistant coach Rikard Gronborg.

The incident was prompted by Mikael Backlund’s hit against Sergei Plotnikov in the final seconds of their semifinal on Saturday that Russia won 3-1.

The disciplinary panel of the International Ice Hockey Federation banned Znarok Sunday for making a throat-slashing gesture toward Gronborg during their heated exchange.

Znarok said after the game that “the Swedish forward was out of order.”

Gronborg was also suspended for the bronze medal game against the Czechs for “directing foul and profane language” at Znarok.

The ban covers any activities with the team before and during the game and also the post-game ceremonies.

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