The key facts

  • On October 30, the CAS fully granted the FHR's appeal and overturned the IIHF's decision to suspend Russia
  • The French Ice Hockey Federation stated its regret and concern over the consequences of the decision
  • On November 5, the French sledge hockey team withdrew from the World Championship due to the Russian team's participation

France's reaction to the CAS decision

The French Ice Hockey Federation (FFHG) expressed regret after the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) must admit Russian national teams to tournaments under its auspices. In the federation's statement, as cited by Gazeta.Ru, it says that the FFHG's governing board considers the decision to 'insufficiently take into account the complexities associated with organizing international competitions, as well as the positions voiced by a number of participating countries.'

France's national team withdraws from the World Championship

On November 5, the French sledge hockey team announced its withdrawal from the World Championship due to the participation of the Russian national team in it. Thus, the practical consequences of the CAS decision have already manifested themselves at the level of an individual national team: the team refused to take part in the tournament, citing the presence of the Russians.

What the arbitration decided and what happens next

On October 30, the Court of Arbitration for Sport fully granted the appeal of the Ice Hockey Federation of Russia (FHR) and overturned the IIHF's decision to suspend Russia. The IIHF stated that it would urgently assess the steps and the time needed to implement the decision and address its operational consequences. The CAS had previously explained the reasoning behind its decision to admit the Russian national teams. Separately, context is provided by the July decision of the International Olympic Committee: on July 7, it temporarily lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee and recommended that federations remove restrictions on Russian athletes, declaring the previous recommendations obsolete. At the same time, the positions of national federations diverge: while the CAS and the IOC advocate admission, the FFHG publicly expresses concern, and the French sledge hockey team has already drawn organizational conclusions by withdrawing from the tournament.