CAS orders IIHF to let Russia back into ice hockey world championships
Sports court overturns the IIHF's post-invasion ban, upending the 2027 men's worlds in Germany where Ukraine has also qualified.
What to know
- CAS overturned the IIHF's ban on Russian hockey teams, in place since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, citing insufficient evidence for safety and security concerns.
- The ruling does not resolve whether Russia must compete as a neutral team without national symbols, leaving that to the IIHF.
- Germany, which hosts the 2027 men's world championship, opposes Russia's inclusion; the draw is already set and Ukraine has also qualified, creating logistical and political uncertainty.
- The first event where Russia could return is the men's world junior championship in Canada starting December 26.
“The IIHF will urgently assess the steps and time required to give effect to the ruling and address its operational consequences.”
IIHF, International Ice Hockey Federation · Yahoo Sports ↗ · Oct 29
Court of Arbitration for Sport Sports arbitration tribunalIIHF International Ice Hockey FederationFranz Reindl New IIHF PresidentMikhail Degtyaryov Russian Sports MinisterFrank H. Lutz German hockey federation chairman
Vladimir Putin Russian President
How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articlesposts
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Tournament logistics thrown into doubt by ruling — With the 2027 men's worlds draw already set in Germany and Ukraine having qualified for the first time in 20 years, it remains unclear whether organizers will add an extra team or risk removing a qualified one to accommodate Russia's return.
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German federation chairman rejects hosting Russia — Frank H. Lutz, chairman of the German hockey federation that hosts next year's men's world championship, said Germany remains opposed to Russia's participation.
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Russian sports minister calls ruling vindication — Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyaryov wrote on Telegram that CAS had validated the Russian Hockey Federation's position.
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IIHF says it will comply but concerns remain — The IIHF expressed disappointment, said it will act in accordance with the ruling, but maintained its original safety and integrity concerns had not been addressed.
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“found that the IIHF arguments citing safety, security and other concerns were not supported by sufficient evidence…”
— Court of Arbitration for Sport -
2 outlets first by Deutsche Welle EN, 12d ago · also CBC · read ↗
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IOC lifts recommended restrictions on Russian athletes — The International Olympic Committee lifted its recommended restrictions on athletes from Russia in international sports, though participation decisions were left to individual federations like the IIHF.
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IIHF bars Russia after invasion of Ukraine — Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the IIHF excluded Russian teams from its world championships and other events, a ban later extended to Belarus.
What people are saying 24 voices from 4 sites · best of 84 · verbatim
- Nov 9
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I wonder if the orange genius in the Ugly States of America, will try a stunt to hold the tournament in the Unpalatable States, being sure to welcome Putin’s team? If such a situation arises, I would be disappointed if Canada were to participate. My very low level of respect for the IIHF has dropped precipitously. Maybe they are trying to…
- Nov 4
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🏒🥅 OMG! What will Danielle say? “On Tuesday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney ruled out allowing Russians to compete in the World Juniors in Alberta. "While Russia and Belarus are supporting this illegal, unjustified war in Ukraine, as long as that's going on, there will be none of those athletes competing …in Canada," he told reporters…
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This was a historic shift away from Trumpism. I guess you can see what you want, but this was a good night for those who are pro democracy. The rest of the world should care because the US has the capacity to do both great good and great harm. I don’t know if the US should have that power, but we do. I’d rather see the power used for good, and for…
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Six European nations Czechia, Denmark, Finland, Latvia, Norway, and Sweden have refused to play ice hockey against russia, including at the 2027 World Championship This follows a CAS ruling overturning the ban on russia's participation. Canada has also barred russian players from the World Juniors on its soil, via visa restrictions russia has been…
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Ice Hockey nations refuse to play Russia as Germany weighs pulling out as host. Finland, Norway, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Denmark and Sweden have said they will not face Russia at the 2027 championship, after a court ruling overturned a four-year ban on Russian national teams. Germany’s federation said the ruling “fundamentally changes the…
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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney delivers a blunt message to Russia: “You cannot bomb Ukrainian cities and then send your junior players to Alberta to play hockey as if you were civilised people. No Russian or Belarusian teams at the World Junior Championship. Not under your
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Owens’s story is important, but it cuts both ways: his victories challenged Nazi racial ideology, while the regime used the Games to present itself as respectable. Sport can bring people together and still serve as state propaganda. I’m not saying every Russian athlete is personally responsible for Putin’s war; I’m arguing that Russian…
- Nov 3
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BREAKING: “Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says Russia will not be allowed to compete at next month’s world junior hockey championship in Alberta…Russian and Belarusian athletes will not be permitted to represent their countries in Canada as long as the war in Ukraine continues.” Good. https://www. ctvnews.ca/sports/article/pm-c…
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Took him long enough. As a Canadian, I've been watching all of these countries announce their refusal to compete against a team known for cheating systematically and I've been waiting for my country to co-sign the general tenor of these protests. I am relieved. (And I hate that I even have to add this, but my issue isn't with any individual…
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Carney says Russia will not be allowed to compete at world juniors in Alberta. toronto.
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Six countries have confirmed they won't play ice hockey against russia at the 2027 World Championships: 🇫🇮 Finland 🇸🇪 Sweden 🇳🇴 Norway 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇱🇻 Latvia 🇨🇿 Czech Republic
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Norway, Denmark, and Sweden refused to play Russia at the 2027 Ice Hockey World Championship after a court let Russia back in “For the sake of the integrity of ice hockey, we cannot see ourselves playing against Russia as things stand,” Denmark’s federation said
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Last week, the Court of Arbitration of Sports ruled that Russia should be allowed to play in the ice hockey world championship held in Germany next year. As a result, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Latvia, and the Czech Republic has now said they will not enter the ice in any match against the Russian team. This is the way! ✊🏼
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Ice hockey federations of five European countries - Denmark, Latvia, Norway, Finland, and Sweden - have refused to play against the Russian national team at the 2027 World Championship in Germany in May. Thank you for standing with Ukraine! The Russian team was admitted to the
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Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway and Latvia have said they will refuse to play Russia at the 2027 Ice Hockey World Championship. The announcement follows a CAS ruling requiring the IIHF to allow Russian teams back into international competition. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry called the ruling “shameful.” # Hockey
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Sweden, Norway and Finland are refusing to play Russia. Canada has said we maintain restrictions on Russian athletes coming to Canada. Danielle Smith says she supports the rule claiming Russia should play.
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Norway will not play against Russia at the 2027 World Championship, based on the current situation and the information available today. Read the full statement from the Norwegian Ice Hockey Association:
- Nov 2
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Finnish ice hockey federation decided that despite a ruling allowing Russian team to ice hockey championships, Finnish national team won't play against Russia as long as the war in Ukraine continues. This is big - ice hockey is probably the most watched sport in Finland.
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The Finnish Ice Hockey Federation just announced that the Finnish national team won't play against Russia as long as Russia continues its unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine
- Oct 31
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If I were to take it further, and perhaps a bit extreme an argument could be made to literally empty every warehouse of any stored munitions and ship them to the Ukrainians. We have plenty of warehouses filled with stuff not only from Afghanistan but also Desert Storm 30 years ago. Realistically we would not or should not be sending our troops…
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Setting aside all ethical and moral standings (which make it clear who we should stand with) in a machiavellian realpolitik it still makes the most sense to support Ukraine as much as possible. If we consider who our would be adversaries are, Russia under Putin is the top of the list. It is alot cheaper both to monetary and in terms of Canadian…
- Oct 30
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The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has ordered the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) to allow Russian national teams to compete in the World Championships in the 2026-27 season. Thus, Russian teams could return to international ice hockey for the first time since
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Finland, Germany, Czechia and Austria’s governing hockey entities have each released statements following the CAS ruling on Russia’s eligibility for IIHF championships in 2027. (H/T @leijonat, @deb_teams, @czehockey,
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⚡️ Russia's national ice hockey teams have been cleared to return to international competitions for the first time since the start of the war The Russian national team will be able to compete at the 2027 World Championship in Germany, while the junior team will compete in