Six European Hockey Federations Refuse Russia Matches

The Court of Arbitration for Sport’s ruling requiring Russia’s national ice hockey teams to be reinstated has prompted six European federations to say they will not play Russia at the 2027 men’s world championship in Germany. The International Ice Hockey Federation says it disagrees with the ruling but will comply, leaving the tournament’s format and Russia’s participation unsettled. Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Latvia and the Czech Republic have announced refusals to play Russia at the championship, scheduled for May 2027. Norway said its team would play its other group matches as scheduled. The federations’ positions concern matches against Russia, rather than withdrawal from the entire tournament. CAS ruled on October 30 that the IIHF must reinstate Russian national teams in international competition, including at the 2027 championship. The ruling followed Russia’s exclusion from IIHF competitions after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. CAS found that the federation had not provided sufficient evidence to justify the continued exclusion on security grounds. The IIHF said the immediate reintegration of Russian teams presents practical and sporting challenges,...