“All available avenues” are being considered by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) as it tries to find a way forward after Russia was allowed to compete in the men’s world championship in Germany in May.
The decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) prompted dismay among other nations, sponsors and politicians.
Several countries said they would boycott games against Russia at the championship given the ongoing war in Ukraine, while sponsors said they would think about withdrawing. Germany is mulling whether to hand back the hosting rights or not give visas to the Russian team.
“While the IIHF continues to disagree with the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) concerning Russian participation in IIHF Championships, we are taking the necessary steps required by the CAS ruling and reviewing what conditions would need to be met to safeguard our Championships,” a statement said on Saturday.
“The IIHF must work within the applicable framework while upholding its responsibility to preserve international competition and protect the sport as a whole. The IIHF is therefore exploring all available avenues.”
The federation also confirmed that Belarus, which has helped Russia in its war on Ukraine, remains banned from international ice hockey competition.
The International Olympic Committee lifted a ban on the Russian Olympic Committee in July, but it is being left up to individual sporting bodies if and how Russia is reincorporated, despite the Ukraine war still raging after four years.
The IIHF opted to continue to exclude Russian teams on security grounds, but Russia appealed to the world’s top sports court and won. The ruling could have implications for other sports.
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