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The NHL is investigatingEvander Kaneamid allegations that he used a fake COVID-19 vaccination card, according to reports fromESPNandFOS.
The San Jose Sharks left winger, 30, has been accused of submitting a fake vaccination card ahead of the 2021-22 season, sources told the outlets. If claims against Kane were to be found true, he could end up facing jail time; theFBI statesthat “buying, selling, or using a counterfeit COVID-19 vaccination card is a crime” and “violators face a fine and up to five years in prison.”
Representatives for the San Jose Sharks and Kane did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
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“We’ve had some player reluctance on vaccination,” NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said, according to apress release. “Our latest information is that reluctance is receding. Some players who were holdouts are going to go forward and get vaccinated, so hopefully at some point in the season we’ll have 100 percent fully vaccinated.”
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Though the NHL is not requiring athletes to be vaccinated, theorganization statesthat a “lack of compliance with the COVID-19 Protocol will result in significant Club and individual sanctions, including potential forfeiture of games, fines and reimbursements of expenses, loss of draft choices, and/or ineligibility for participation in training activities.”
However, the SAP Center — home to the San Jose Sharks — requires all guests age 12 and older toprovide proof of vaccinationprior to entering the building. In order to play home games, Kane would have to be vaccinated.
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“Unfortunately I would like to address the completely FALSE accusations that my estranged wife and soon to be ex wife has made against me,” he said in anAug. 1 statement.
“Even against the advice of my legal team I feel strongly that the public and fans hear this directly from me,” Kane continued. “I have NEVER gambled/bet on Hockey, NEVER gambled/bet on a Sharks game, NEVER gambled/bet on any of my games and NEVER thrown a hockey game.”
The NHL announced on Sept. 22 that they and Kane both agreed that he would not be included at the team’s training camp"until further notice."
source: people.com
