CAS Judge’s Moscow Trip Ahead of Russia’s Hockey Reinstatement Raises Eyebrows
Reporters said two CAS arbitrators spoke at Moscow legal events before hearings on Russia’s hockey return, raising chronology questions about impartiality.
- Two Court of Arbitration for Sport arbitrators who cleared Russia's national ice hockey team to return to international competitions previously spoke at legal events in Moscow, Swiss journalist Thomas Renggli reported on November 9.
- Italian arbitrator Giulio Palermo and Egyptian arbitrator Ismail Selim chaired the panel that ruled in favor of the Russian Federation on October 30, following hearings on October 23 and 26.
- Palermo attended a Moscow arbitration congress on September 22, while Selim participated in a legal event on May 16, 2025, according to findings published by the Ukrainian outlet Champion.
- CAS maintains these appearances do not compromise the arbitrators' independence, stating both men traveled to Moscow before their appointment and no formal resignation requests have been received.
- Refusing to face Russia, Norway, Denmark, and Sweden reject participation at the 2027 Men's Ice Hockey World Championship, while Turku, Finland, warned on November 2 it may withdraw from the 2028 World Junior Championship.
28 Articles
28 Articles
Swiss publication Inside Paradeplatz reports that two of the three judges at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) that ruled on the Russian ice hockey team's return to international competition had previously attended events in Moscow. CAS says it has no reason to doubt the judges' independence.
Two Judges Behind Russia’s Hockey Ban Reversal Had Previously Appeared at Moscow Conferences
Two of the three Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) arbitrators who cleared the way for Russia’s national ice hockey team to return to international competitions had earlier spoken at legal events in Moscow.
Giulio Palermo and Ismail Selim visited Russia before the CAS ruling. This is said to have caused a Swiss lawyer to leave the court. “Two of the three judges who decided on the return of the Russian ice hockey teams had previously made professional appearances in the Moscow legal environment. They probably experienced the notorious Russian hospitality,” writes Inside Paradeplatz.
The behavior of the chairman of the International Court of Justice, Italian judge Giulio Palermo, who ruled in favor of Russia at the International Court of Justice, has raised questions about a possible conflict of interest.
CAS Judge’s Moscow Trip Ahead of Russia’s Hockey Reinstatement Raises Eyebrows
A ruling that could bring Russian hockey back to international competition has already triggered a storm of controversy. Now, questions surrounding one of the judges who delivered that verdict have added another layer to the debate. Italian lawyer Giulio Palermo reportedly attended an arbitration conference in Moscow weeks before he chaired the panel that overturned […]
Two of the three arbitrators of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) who ruled on the return of the Russian national team to the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) tournaments have previously visited Russia. Specifically, they attended the non-governmental Russian International Arbitration Congress (RIAC). They attended the Moscow event even before they were assigned to the case of the Russian hockey players.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 56% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
