If the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) chooses not to follow the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) decision allowing Russia to compete in the World Championships, the consequences could be huge.
Then I can imagine Russia going to CAS and asking it to fine the IIHF a billion dollars. I'm just throwing out a figure, but it has to be so high that no one dares risk the fine without being crushed, says former CAS arbitrator Conny Jörneklint.
"Completely out of the question"
The IIHF said early on that it would respect the CAS decision, but a lot has happened since then. Federations in Sweden, Finland, the Czech Republic, Norway, Denmark and Latvia have announced that they will boycott matches against Russia, but not the tournaments themselves.
Jörneklint does not believe the boycotts will lead the IIHF to ignore the CAS decision, which was founded in 1984 to resolve disputes in the world of sport.
The legal system that we have maintained through CAS risks falling apart if international sports organizations stand aside. And I think that is completely out of the question.
Will it be taken to CAS?
Russia may also take the individual national federations to the Court of Arbitration in Switzerland.
If Russia were dissatisfied and believed that these countries were not following the CAS decision by boycotting matches against Russia, then it could go to CAS and say that these countries should be fined a large amount if they do not play these matches, says Conny Jörneklint.
If a national team boycotts a match against a Russian national team in a tournament, Russia will win by walkover. The CAS decision applies to all future tournaments organized by the IIHF, apart from the upcoming Women's World Cup in Denmark.
What do you think?