The French Embassy have denied the action was targeted at a single nation ©Getty Images

French officials have claimed a search of the Belarus national ice hockey team was intended to promote sporting ethics and was not targeted at any particular country.

Didier Canesse, the ambassador of France to Belarus, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs last week as the country called for an investigation into the search.

The Ministry claimed the search at Paris Montparnasse railway station lasted for nearly 20 minutes and was "conducted in a form that undermines human dignity".

It was also alleged that attempts to determine the reason for the search by the team ended in failure.

The team returned to their hotel after the search was concluded.

They are currently in the French capital competing in the men's International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championships.

The Belarus Ministry of Foreign Affairs have demanded an explanation and an apology for the incident.

In a statement, the French Embassy for Belarus said that the search was carried out as part of the country's fight against doping.

They referenced similar controls at major events in the country, such as the Tour de France and the French Open, while denying they had singled out the Belarus team.

Belarus have lost all of their matches to date at the 2017 tournament ©Getty Images
Belarus have lost all of their matches to date at the 2017 tournament ©Getty Images

"The control of the Belarus ice hockey national team on May 3, 2017 at the Montparnasse station in Paris was conducted by the customs authorities at the request of the Paris public prosecutor's office," a statement said. 

"It was carried out according to the rules and regulations in force and did not give rise to any incidents.

"It was made in the presence of the policemen dispatched at the arrival of the train, to ensure the safety of the Belarus national team during their stay in Paris.

"France has long been at the forefront of the fight against doping in high-level sport, both within the World Anti-Doping Agency and within the European Union and the Council of Europe.

"This fight meets the objectives set by the International Olympic Committee and the major international sports federations.

"Strictly regulated by the legislation, there are numerous controls at major international sporting events such as the Tour de France, the Roland Garros tournament, the Championships and cups of the world and Europe hosted by France.

"They are not aimed at any particular nationality and are intended to promote sports honesty and ethics."

The Belarus Ice Hockey Federation reportedly received a letter from tournament organisers offering "words of regret" regarding the incident.

IIHF President Rene Fasel also visited the team prior to their opening match of the tournament against Finland at the AccorHotels Arena, claiming the governing body have launched an investigation.

Belarus are competing in Group B in Paris, a city which is bidding against Los Angeles for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

They have suffered three straight defeats, losing to Finland, the Czech Republic and Canada.

Group A is taking place in Cologne, with the German city also set to stage the semi-finals and medal matches.