Russia back in ice hockey world championships

AP:

Russia must be allowed to return to ice hockey’s international tournaments, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled yesterday, overturning an exclusion in place since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The ruling is a major win for Russia against efforts to bar it from international sports due to the war in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin is a noted hockey fan who has previously played exhibition games with former stars.

CAS overturned International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) decisions which excluded Russia from events in the 2026-27 season, including the men’s and women’s world championships and world juniors. Russia also missed the Olympic tournaments this year.

Russia’s return throws into uncertainty how the men’s world championship will work next year in Germany, given that Ukraine has also qualified.

RULING CITES LACK OF EVIDENCE ON SECURITY

In a brief statement, CAS cited a lack of sufficient evidence to support the IIHF’s security concerns.

CAS said its ruling did not address issues such as whether Russia should be required to play without national symbols as a team of neutral athletes, as in some other Olympic sports, or other “organisational consequences.”

The IIHF expressed disappointment with the ruling and said it “maintains that its decisions were necessary to protect the safety and security of all participants and safeguard the integrity of its competitions.”

“While the IIHF respects the authority of CAS and will act in accordance with its ruling, the outcome does not remove the concerns that informed its assessments.”

Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyaryov wrote on the Telegram social media app that CAS “recognised the demands of the Russian Hockey Federation on key points as justified.”

RETURN BRINGS UNCERTAINTY

The ruling is an immediate challenge for new IIHF President Franz Reindl, whose home country of Germany hosts the men’s world championship next year.

“Our task now is to implement this ruling responsibly,” Reindl said in a statement. “Several championships are only weeks away, and changes to participation affect many people; players, teams, organizing committees and host cities. We will work closely with all of them to find practical solutions.”

German hockey federation chairman Frank H. Lutz said yesterday that Germany remains opposed to letting Russia take part and that “allowing Russia in has significant security, political and financial consequences for us as hosts.”

It’s not clear how Russia would fit back in, since the draw has already been determined. Adding an extra team would make for uneven groups and an even longer tournament to fit in more games.

Kicking out a qualified team to make way for Russia would risk a backlash, especially if that team is Ukraine. It was last to qualify for the men’s worlds, ending a 20-year wait, and is ranked lowest among the 16 teams currently taking part.