Sweden has called off the Four Nations Cup two months before it was due to start.

The Swedish Ice Hockey Federation says the reason for the cancellation is travel considerations for the other three nations who take part.

The United States, Canada and Finland have contested the tournament since it began in 1996.

All of this comes after some of Sweden's best players boycotted the national team due to pay disputes.

A representative for the Swedish players, Klara Sternberg, told TheHockeyNews.com: "The federation didn’t talk to the players before they cancelled the tournament in Lulea, Sweden.

“The players did not tell the federation they won’t play. They just said they can’t give the federation an answer (right away), but the federation made the decision all by itself to cancel the tournament.”

This is not the only controversy happening within the sport at the moment. Canadian and US players are boycotting the National Women's Hockey League due to uncertainty around the league and because of pay disputes.

The tournament was due to take part on November 5-9. The US won the last four titles. This will be the first time the tournament has not been played since it began.