Russia says CAS has ordered International Ice Hockey Federation to let Russian teams play its events
The ruling opens the door for Russia’s return after a lack of evidence supported the IIHF’s safety concerns, the court said.
- On Friday, the Court of Arbitration for Sport ordered the International Ice Hockey Federation to admit Russian national teams to five international championships for the 2026-27 season, overturning the federation's ban.
- The International Ice Hockey Federation had excluded Russian and Belarusian teams since February 2022 after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, citing concerns over participant safety and competition integrity.
- Arbitration judges found the IIHF's safety arguments "not supported by sufficient evidence," prompting the federation to express disappointment while committing to comply with the court's immediate order.
- IIHF President Franz Reindl faces urgent operational challenges as the men's world junior championship in Alberta begins December 26 with schedules already finalized without Russian participation.
- National hockey federations in Germany and Sweden remain opposed to the return, while Canada's government expressed disappointment as Russia's invasion of Ukraine stretches toward its fifth year.
328 Articles
328 Articles
Matheson: Russian participation a question mark for Edmonton/Red Deer world junior tournament
While the Court of Arbitration for Sport has decided that Russian hockey teams will be allowed in IIHF sanctioned events for the first time in five years, starting with the U20 world junior here and in Red Deer over the Christmas break, will we actually see them back in Alberta? There may be no “The […]
The decision on Friday by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to readmit suspended Russia to ice hockey has caused a major uproar. The German organizers of this summer's World Championship speak of a “double catastrophe.” Ukraine, of all countries, could lose its spot to Russia as the lowest-ranked country. However, Germany is also considering returning the organization for safety reasons.
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