Fuss about Russia's return - This is how the sports court defends its verdict

In the debate about the consequences of Russia's re-admission to international ice hockey tournaments, the highest sports court defended its judgment and certified that the IIHF, the world association, had failed. The governing body did not provide sufficient evidence to prove the legal requirements for the exclusion of Russian teams, the judges of the International Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) found.

In addition, the possible negative consequences of the ruling, as well as the question of neutral status for Russian teams, were “neither proven by sufficient evidence nor requested by the IIHF during the course of the proceedings.” In an initial reaction, the newly elected IIHF President Franz Reindl was “surprised” by the extensions of the judge's ruling and its rapid effectiveness.

A number of nations, including ice hockey world champion Finland, have already announced that they will not play in tournaments against Russian teams as long as the war of aggression in Ukraine continues. The 2027 World Cup in Germany is particularly affected by the vortex.

The federal government clearly criticized the Cas ruling

The German Ice Hockey Association (DEB) now sees its tournament in danger; DEB board chairman Frank Lutz even did not rule out giving up the host role. The federal government clearly criticized the Cas ruling, saying that the Russian national players could possibly be refused entry visas. Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney had already announced a similar approach for the U20 World Cup in Canada at the end of this year.

The Cas noted the “controversial reactions” to its arbitration award, it said in a statement. He made his decision “on the basis of the legal substance of an appeal and the arguments and evidence presented by the parties.” Both the Russian Ice Hockey Federation and the IIHF were “aware of the legal issues to be discussed as well as the consequences of granting or rejecting the appeal,” it said.