The decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the highest decision-making body in sport, came as a shock on Friday.
It allows Russia to participate in next year’s World Hockey Championship, contrary to the International Ice Hockey Federation’s position.
"It is remarkable that the International Ice Hockey Federation is now being forced, against its will, to allow Russian participation in international championships. It is a very unfortunate decision," says Jakob Forssmed.
CAS’s decision covers the men’s World Championship and the 2027 World Junior Championship, the women’s World Championship in November of the same year, and the 2027 U18 World Championships for both girls and boys.
It normalizes the war, gives Putin opportunities to conduct propaganda on the international stage and makes sport a way for Russia to regain international recognition, says Forssmed.
He emphasizes that nothing has changed in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
Nothing has changed on the ground. It’s an offensive decision in that way.
