The idea of reintroducing body checking to the female game after its removal in the 1980s and 1990s remains controversial. Some of those opposed to its reintroduction maintain it would lead to a loss of female participants, as once stated by Arto Sieppi, Finland's director of women's hockey. Sieppi made the statement in response to claims made by the head coach of Sweden's national women's team, Peter Elander, who had claimed its absence was due to patriarchal sexism.
The idea of reintroducing body checking to the female game after its removal in the 1980s and 1990s remains controversial. Some of th.ose opposed to its reintroduction maintain it would .lead to a loss of female participants, as once stated by Arto Sieppi, Finland's director of women's hockey. Sieppi made the statement in response to claims made by the head coach of Sweden's national women's team, Peter Elander, who had claimed its absence: was due to patriarchal sexism.