IIHF: consequences of the CAS ruling on Russia's return to hockey 'significantly underestimated'

IIHF acknowledges the scale of the consequences of the CAS decision

The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) said on Wednesday that the impact of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling obliging it to readmit Russia to international competitions had been 'significantly underestimated.' The federation said it continues to disagree with the ruling and is holding talks with national associations, organizing committees, host parties and other stakeholders to determine the way forward. The statement came after two days of IIHF council meetings which, according to Deutsche Welle, did not produce agreement; the organization's president, Franz Reindl, told the SID agency that the council would meet again on Thursday.

The court ruling and the federation's position

The IIHF barred Russian teams from international tournaments shortly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, citing security concerns. In its ruling issued on Friday, CAS said those concerns were 'not supported by sufficient evidence'. In DW's assessment, the ruling caught most of the international hockey community off guard.

Host countries oppose Russia's participation

Two upcoming tournaments are under threat. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said at a press conference in Antigua on Tuesday, that Russians will not take part in the world junior championship in Alberta, which begins next month: 'As long as Russia and Belarus support this illegal, unprovoked war in Ukraine, none of these athletes will compete for their countries in Canada.' German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB) chairman Franz Lutz suggested in a television interview that the federation 'will have to consider the option of returning the hosting rights' for the men's world championship in May; this week he is due to discuss the issue with the government in Berlin, which, according to his spokesperson, views the court ruling 'extremely critically.'

European national teams announce a boycott

The federation of Finland — the reigning world champion — led by Heikki Hietanen, who also sits on the IIHF council, said it is working to unite as many countries as possible that will not play against Russia 'while the aggressive war against Ukraine continues.' Similar statements were made by Sweden (federation head Anders Larsson: 'Tre Kronor will not play against Russia at the upcoming world championships'), Norway, Denmark, the Czech Republic (president Alois Hadamczik), Latvia, which reaffirmed its long-standing position of not playing against Russia and Belarus, and Austria, where association head Alexander Hellwig told the ORF broadcaster that 'at the moment we certainly will not play against Russia.' USA Hockey has not yet commented on the CAS ruling.

Sponsors reconsider their involvement

Pressure is also mounting from sponsors. Czech carmaker Skoda, the main sponsor of the men's world championship for more than three decades, told Associated Press it would 'reconsider' its position if Russia takes part, calling the return of the Russian team incompatible with the company's values. Finnish tire maker Nokian earlier said it would withdraw its support if Russia participates; Swedish furniture manufacturer AJ Products, whose logo has adorned the boards and referees' uniforms at world championships since 1989, asked that its logo not be displayed. On Wednesday they were joined by the German workwear company Strauss: it is withdrawing the display of its logo at the men's tournament and is considering a full exit from sponsorship.