Ice hockey officials considering options after CAS order to reinstate Russia

Russian players could soon again be seen at IIHF-sanctioned international ice hockey tournamentsImage: Kirill Kukhmar/ITAR-TASS/IMAGOAdvertisementThe president of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), Franz Reindl, announced shortly after the decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Friday, that he had called a meeting of its main decision-making body for this Monday and Tuesday.

The Lausanne-based court had ruled that the IIHF must allow Russian national teams to take part in ice hockey world championships again. They had been barred from doing so since shortly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

"Our task now is to implement this ruling responsibly," said Germany's Reindl, who was elected IIHF president just last month.

"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."

The first tournament the CAS decision applies to is the World Juniors, to be held beginning on December 26 in Canada. Just how it will affect the tournament is not clear. Hockey Canada said it was in contact with the IIHF and had briefed Prime Minister Mark Carney's government on the decision.

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand told public broadcaster CBC that she is "not comfortable" with allowing a Russian team to take part in the tournament in Alberta.

"This is a very unwelcome decision given the geopolitical situation, given the actions of Russia," she said. "All options are on the table, and I will say, again, I greet this decision with great disappointment."

"Canada will maintain restrictions on the participation of Russian athletes at events hosted in Canada that receive funding from the Government of Canada and explore further options to ensure that the Russian government is held accountable," he said in a statement.

Germany is also considering its options as it prepares to host the Men's Ice Hockey World Championship in Gelsenkirchen, Düsseldorf and Mannheim next May.

"The German government takes a very critical view of the decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, a government spokesman said on Sunday, according to the DPA news agency.

"The German government will discuss possible consequences of the ruling, including for the 2027 Ice Hockey World Championship in Germany, with the German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB) promptly."

The DEB's chief executive, Frank Lutz, is to travel to Berlin to discuss the matter with government officials this week. Speaking on broadcaster MagentaSport on the weekend, he conceded that surrendering Germany's hosting rights for the lucrative tournament was a possibility.

"I do not want to paint a black picture. I do not want to call the World Championship into question either. But of course, we at the DEB also have to consider the option of handing back this championship," he said.

Several other national ice hockey federations have expressed disappointment at the CAS decision, including those of Ukraine, Sweden, Finland, and Czechia.

The International Olympic Committee opened the door for Russian athletes to return to international competition when it lifted its ban of the Russian Olympic Committee in July. However, the IIHF had already decided to continue to exclude Russian teams for the 2026-27 season – over security concerns. The CAS decision – handed down after an appeal by Russia – found this reasoning was insufficiently proven.

Russian reaction to the ruling was, unsurprisingly, positive.

"Russia is returning to world hockey. This place rightfully belongs to us, and discrimination in hockey has been brought to an end," Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev told state television channel Vesti.

A boycott of the World Juniors, Men's World Championships or other tournaments by individual nations appears to be a possibility.

Latvia is prohibited by law from competing against Russian teams. Finland has said individual players would be free to opt-out of tournaments that include Russia, while Swedish Ice Hockey Association chairman Anders Larsson, who is a member of the IIHF Council, told Swedish news agency TT that "a boycott is not on the table."

However, at the same time he also noted that "our position is that Russia cannot participate in international championships in the current situation."

There has been the suggestion, that having won this victory at the CAS, Russia's next focus could be on football, where its national and club teams remain excluded from international competitions.

Russian FA general secretary Maxim Mitrofanov told state news agency Tass that there "should be one rule for all."

World football's governing body FIFA allowed a Russia boys' team to play under its national flag in the inaugural Under-15 World Cup and Festival in Azerbaijan, which kicked off last week and ends on Saturday.