The International Ice Hockey Federation announced on Wednesday that Russia and Belarus are banned from all world championships next season. That includes the women’s event in the US.

The announcement comes as a reaction to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Within days of the invasion’s start, the IIHF followed recommendations from the International Olympic Committee to remove the Russian teams from international competitions and to reroute games originally planned to be held in Russia.

The IIHF cited concerns about security for the players, competition staff and fans. The ban will stretch beyond two years once the 2023-2024 season concludes.

IIHF president Luc Tardif said, “It is too soon. Too many risks.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko are both avid fans of the sport, and the Russian Hockey Federation scoffed at the IIHF’s security concerns as a “contrived reason” to keep the teams out of the next season.

The RHF said, “It is a decision which is neither constructive, nor beneficial for world hockey.”

Despite their early directives, the IOC is now encouraging Olympic sports committees to find a way to include Russian and Belarusian athletes as neutrals in qualifying events for the 2024 Paris Games. The IOC meets next Tuesday in Lausanne, Switzerland to discuss the issue.