Russia has been banned from international hockey since its wartime invasion of Ukrainian territory, but the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) is still keeping the back door open for it to return. But now the situation may change.
Although Russia does not participate in international tournaments, it still receives points in the IIHF ranking so that it can return one day and not have to advance from the lower categories. In the same way, the IIHF approached the Olympic Games in 2026, where the scenario is that the Russians will be able to play.
Russia is holding its place in the tournament and it is currently not disclosed how the situation will be handled if it is not able to participate in it.
However, Russia has now gone too far even for the IIHF. The case of goalkeeper Ivan Fedotov is to blame. He was going to go overseas to the Philadelphia Flyers for the 2022/23 season, but he was arrested in Russia and spent a year in the army. The official reason was to forge documents and avoid military service.
After a year, he continued his active career, but without the goal of playing overseas, he signed a contract with CSKA Moscow for the 2023/24 and 24/25 seasons. But he has a valid contract with the Philadelphia Flyers, and that’s where the problem arose. Both CSKA Moscow and Ivan Fedotov violated IIHF regulations with this signing.
The world hockey governing body punished them, Fedotov appealed, and last weekend the IIHF announced that it rejected his appeal.
Fedotov was banned for four months and CSKA Moscow was banned from making international transfers for one season.
“We welcome the decision of the IIHF’s independent disciplinary committee, which supports the IIHF’s belief that all professional player contracts must be respected,” said IIHF President Luc Tardif.
In an interview with a Russian website, he also admitted the possibility that Russia will be expelled from the IIHF. “Can the IIHF expel the Russian Hockey Federation? It depends on what the federation, CSKA Moscow and Fedotov do after this decision,” said Tardif.
The ban for Fedotov was valid from September 1 until the end of the current calendar year, the transfer ban for CSKA until the end of the season. Tomorrow, CSKA Moscow will play another match and we will see if they decide to listen to the IIHF. Fedotov already played 26 duels in the current season.
2023-12-18 16:30:00
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