The Russian Ice Hockey Federation has threatened to seek financial compensation and impose sanctions against Germany if the country is excluded from future world championship participation, according to a report from DIE WELT.
Vladislav Tretiak, the president of the Russian Ice Hockey Federation, confirmed that a formal request regarding potential exclusion has been filed with the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) ethics committee.
The dispute centers on the status of Russian teams in international competition following the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s (CAS) rulings on their eligibility. Recent tensions have escalated as multiple nations have issued boycott threats, and host countries have moved to restrict the entry of Russian athletes.
“If Canada and Germany refuse to allow the Russian team in, we will demand compensation, force the relocation of the competitions, and impose sanctions against the organizers,” Tretiak said, as reported by the news agency Tass. Tretiak, a former national team goaltender, made the comments following a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other sports officials.
President Putin addressed the legal standing of Russian athletes, stating that the nation must continue to pursue its interests through international sports law. “We must consistently follow this legal path and uphold the decisions made—including those of the Court of Arbitration for Sport,” Putin said, as quoted by Tass.
He further alleged that the opposing side is “ignoring the legal system in this area and is effectively disregarding all principles of the Olympic Charter.”
Economic risks for the 2027 tournament host
The German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB) has urged the IIHF to provide a swift resolution to the uncertainty surrounding the 2027 Men’s World Championship. The German government has previously said that hosting the tournament would be “factually impossible” if Russia is permitted to participate.
Frank Lutz, the board chairman of the DEB, highlighted the precarious position of the host nation. “We understand that a solution cannot fall from the sky overnight. But dragging it out for several more weeks is unimaginable for us,” Lutz said. According to the DEB, the potential for Russian participation remains a “significant economic risk” for the organizers.
Entry restrictions in Finland and Norway
Beyond the hockey-specific disputes, nations are increasingly restricting the entry of Russian athletes for international events. Following a similar move by Finland, the Norwegian government announced it would deny entry to Russian and Belarusian professional athletes and their support staff.
“Because Russia is continuing its brutal war of aggression, the government does not want Russian and Belarusian professional athletes or their support staff to be allowed to enter Norway to participate in international sports competitions,” said Lubna Jaffery, Norway’s Minister of Culture and Equality.
The Norwegian government maintains that the Russian sports sector is too closely linked to state structures to be viewed independently from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen previously confirmed that Russian athletes would not be issued visas for entry into Finland. “As long as Russia’s war of aggression continues, Russian athletes have no place in Finland,” Valtonen said in a press release, adding that their presence would pose a risk to Finland’s international relations.
These entry restrictions currently impact winter sports most directly, as Finland and Norway host many competitions in this category.
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