CAS allows Russian hockey teams to return
The international sports tribunal is ordering the ice hockey federation to admit Russian teams to its tournaments again.
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Russian national ice hockey teams may return to the world governing body IIHF’s international competitions. The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled on Friday in a case against Russia’s exclusion.
The ruling means Russian teams must be able to take part in the International Ice Hockey Federation’s championships again from the 2026–27 season. This also includes world championships, including the 2027 men’s World Championship.
The Russian Ice Hockey Federation appealed against an IIHF decision to maintain the exclusion of Russian teams. The CAS upheld the appeal and ordered the international federation to admit the Russian teams.
The IIHF says it is disappointed by the decision. According to the world governing body, the CAS has thereby overturned a decision taken on safety and organisational grounds. The IIHF says it will study the ruling and work out its practical consequences.
The decision does not automatically cover every detail of participation. According to the available information, the CAS did not rule on, for example, the use of national symbols, the flag and the national anthem. It must also still be established how participation in individual tournaments will be organised in practice.
Russia was excluded from many international team-sport competitions after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The measure applied to national teams and clubs within the IIHF. The new ruling ends that general exclusion in international ice hockey, but does not say that all Russian athletes may return in every sport.
For European federations and organisers, the ruling could affect the composition and security of future tournaments. It could also trigger new legal proceedings in sports in which Russian teams remain excluded. The CAS ruling is binding within the sports-law proceedings concerned.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The CAS has overturned the exclusion of Russian ice hockey teams.
- The IIHF says it is disappointed.
- The precise conditions for participation have not yet been fully established.
- The ruling applies within the IIHF’s sports-law proceedings.
Left
Arguments International sporting participation cannot be viewed separately from Russia’s war against Ukraine. A return may be experienced as normalisation and reduces pressure on Russia without the underlying political situation having changed.
Values International solidarity, human rights and the responsibility of sports organisations.
Consequences Participation could increase tensions with Ukrainian athletes and federations and lead to boycotts or new protests.
Centre
Arguments A sports tribunal must apply its own rules, but federations must at the same time safeguard safety and feasibility. Participation can therefore be responsible only with clear conditions, neutral symbols and guarantees for organisers.
Values The rule of law, predictability and practical safety.
Consequences A controlled return could provide legal clarity, but the sporting world remains divided over the political consequences.
Right
Arguments Athletes should not be collectively excluded on the basis of their government’s actions. If individual athletes have not been personally sanctioned, participation should in principle be possible from this perspective.
Values Individual responsibility, equal treatment and the autonomy of sport.
Consequences A return could restore sporting competition, but could also be seen as a propaganda advantage for Russia.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
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The core of the ruling, the organisations involved and the consequences for IIHF tournaments have been confirmed by the IIHF, the Russian federation and AP. Details that are not yet final have been presented as uncertain or still to be worked out.
- confirmed The CAS has ruled that Russian ice hockey teams may once again take part in IIHF competitions. — The IIHF and the Russian federation reported the ruling; AP confirms the decision. source
- confirmed The ruling takes effect immediately. — The IIHF writes that Russian teams may be admitted with immediate effect. source
- confirmed The ruling does not automatically determine how national symbols are to be used. — AP reports that the CAS did not rule on those organisational consequences. source
- confirmed Russia was excluded from IIHF competitions after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. — The IIHF and AP describe the exclusion and its background. source
Editor's note
The ruling and the IIHF’s response have been confirmed by both sports organisations involved and an independent AP report. At the time of publication, the precise conditions concerning symbols and organisational consequences had not yet been fully worked out.Sources
- IIHF statement on CAS decision — International Ice Hockey Federation
- Спортивный арбитражный суд удовлетворил апелляцию ФХР — Russian Ice Hockey Federation
- Russia is back in the ice hockey world championships after sports court ruling — AP