Ice hockey officials considering options after CAS order to reinstate Russia

The president of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), Franz Reindl, announced shortly after the decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Friday, that he had called a meeting of its main decision-making body for Monday and Tuesday.

The Lausanne-based court had ruled that the IIHF must allow Russian national teams to take part in ice hockey world championships again . They had been barred from doing so since shortly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 .

"Our task now is to implement this ruling responsibly," said Germany's Reindl, who was elected IIHF president just last month.

"Several championships are only weeks away, and changes to participation affect many people; players, teams, organizing committees and host cities," he said. "We will work closely with all of them to find practical solutions."

The first tournament the CAS decision applies to is the World Juniors, to be held beginning on December 26 in Canada. Just how it will affect the tournament is not clear. Hockey Canada said it was in contact with the IIHF and had briefed Prime Minister Mark Carney's government on the decision.

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand told public broadcaster CBC that she is "not comfortable" with allowing a Russian team to take part in the tournament in Alberta.

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