The Court of Arbitration for Sport defended its decision to reinstate Russia to international hockey competition Thursday, saying the ruling was based strictly on the legal arguments and evidence presented.
In a statement acknowledging the divisive reaction to last week’s ruling, CAS said the International Ice Hockey Federation failed to provide sufficient evidence to justify continuing its ban on Russian teams.
Russian and Belarusian teams have been barred from international hockey since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
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CAS said the IIHF did not make a strong enough case to support its concerns about bringing Russia back into competition or allowing Russian players to compete as neutral athletes.
The statement comes after Prime Minister Mark Carney declared Tuesday that Russian players would not be permitted to compete at next month’s world junior hockey championship in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alta.
The IIHF has opposed Russia’s immediate reinstatement, citing security, logistical and competitive concerns, while several European hockey federations have said their teams would refuse to face Russia.
Carney says Russia won’t be allowed to play in upcoming world juniors
