“Should Canada and Germany refuse to admit the Russian team, we will demand compensation, enforce the relocation of the competitions, and impose sanctions against the organizers,” said Wladislaw Tretjak, the head of the Russian Ice Hockey Federation.
The former Russian national goaltender made the threat following a meeting with Vladimir Putin and other sports officials, according to reports from the news agency Tass. The warning comes amid a growing international dispute regarding the eligibility of Russian ice hockey teams following recent decisions by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The tension centers on the 2027 Men’s World Championship, which Germany is scheduled to host. The German government has stated that hosting the tournament is “factually not possible” if Russian teams are permitted to participate, creating a diplomatic and logistical deadlock for the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF).
The conflict is not limited to the 2027 tournament. Canada, the host of the U-20 World Championship later this year, has already announced it will not issue visas to the Russian selection. Several nations, including Finland, have expressed intentions to boycott matches against Russian squads.
Vladimir Putin has said that Russia intends to use the sports justice system to ensure the participation of Russian athletes in international competitions.
“We must pursue this legal path consistently and uphold the decisions made—including those of the Court of Arbitration for Sport,” Putin said, according to Tass. He further claimed that opposing parties are ignoring the legal system and “effectively disregarding all principles of the Olympic Charter.”
Tretjak confirmed that the Russian Ice Hockey Federation has already submitted a formal application to the IIHF Ethics Commission regarding potential damages. This move follows the escalating debate over the potential reinstatement of Russian teams to international play.
The German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB) is seeking immediate clarity from the IIHF to resolve the uncertainty surrounding the 2027 hosting duties.
“We understand that a solution cannot fall from the sky overnight. But to drag it out for several more weeks is unimaginable for us,” said Frank Lutz, the chairman of the DEB board.
Lutz characterized the potential reinstatement of Russia and the resulting complications for the tournament as a “significant economic risk” for the host.
| Entity | Position/Action |
|---|---|
| Germany (Government) | Hosting is “factually not possible” with Russian participation |
| Canada | Will not issue visas for the U-20 World Championship |
| Finland & Allies | Refusal to compete against Russian teams |
| Russia (Federation) | Threatening compensation and relocation of events |
Russlands Eishockeyverband hat einen Antrag bei der Ethikkommission des Eishockey-Weltverbands hinterlegt.
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