International Ice Hockey Federation bars Russian teams from next season's tournaments
The IIHF Council has decided to keep Russian national teams excluded from all world championships for the upcoming season following a review.
The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Council has decided to exclude Russian national teams from participating in international competitions for the upcoming season. The restriction applies to the men's world championship, the world junior championship, and both the men's and women's under-18 tournaments.
The decision follows a period of procedural uncertainty. Russia's suspension had previously been extended in January, but the Russian Hockey Federation appealed the ruling. The IIHF Disciplinary Committee subsequently set aside the initial ban. However, upon re-evaluating the operational and safety conditions for each scheduled event, the IIHF Council ultimately determined that Russian teams will not be allowed to compete in the next season's world championships.
Sources: LSM.