The new week began for the hockey world with an important meeting of the leadership of the International Ice Hockey Federation in Zurich, where the IIHF Council meeting is taking place these days. The fate of Russia for the coming years was decided on it. The news from the federation was sad, although expected.
Following the meeting, the IIHF Council decided to uphold the suspension of all Russian hockey from the international arena. The ban, which was issued to Russia back in February 2022, was extended until the end of the 2024/25 season inclusive. Thus, Russian hockey players will not take part in tournaments under the auspices of the IIHF. This applies, for example, to the 2025 Men’s Adult World Championship, which will be held in Sweden and Denmark. The Swedes, by the way, were among those who openly opposed the admission of Russians. The day before, the head of the Swedish Ice Hockey Federation, Anders Larsson, called the presence of Russian hockey players at international championships impossible. Along with the Russians, Belarusians also remain suspended.
The IIHF verdict is as follows:
«»Based on a thorough analysis, the IIHF council came to the conclusion that the return of the national teams and clubs of Russia and Belarus to the competition under the auspices of the organization is not yet safe. Therefore, the national teams of Russia and Belarus will not take part in the 2024/25 season.»
In this situation, it is difficult to say exactly what exactly causes anger first of all: the very fact of the suspension of athletes or the argument that the international organization makes. What does it mean that “Russia’s return to tournament participation is unsafe”? Is it unsafe for whom: the Russians themselves, other athletes, or maybe fans? The IIHF and its leader Luc Tardif have not been able to give a clear answer to these questions for two years now. It would be much simpler if they admitted that their decision was politicized and was not made out of concern for the notorious security. And so the federation, which is the main organizer of its international tournaments, is only admitting its incompetence, since it is not able to guarantee this very security.
This argument from the IIHF becomes even more absurd against the backdrop of the recent history of the suspension of the Israeli youth team. Then the federation also said that the participation of Israeli hockey players in the tournament was unsafe. However, just a few days after the NHL put pressure on Tardif’s department, the problem was instantly resolved. By the way, it is interesting that the same National Hockey League did not say a word about the suspension of Russians and Belarusians for all two years. Although there are plenty of representatives from Russia and Belarus in the NHL, but not a single one from Israel.
But the reaction of the North American hockey world as a whole is indicative. If you open today’s IIHF statement on social networks, in the comments under the federation’s publication many call the verdict on the ban of Russia and Belarus a disgrace. “If you suspend Russians and Belarusians, then remove Israel too. You are harming young hockey players who you punish for something that is not their fault,” there are plenty of similar statements.
It is important to separately note the issue of the 2026 Olympics. At the moment, there is no decision on Russia’s participation or non-participation in the upcoming Winter Games. It is expected later. When exactly is unknown, although at the end of 2023 Luc Tardif argued that this moment would be determined no later than March of this year. For now, Russia is included in the list of potential participants and — albeit with an asterisk — is included in Group C along with the US national team.
In this regard, at least a little positive can be expected from the NHL. Previously, the league came to an agreement with the IIHF on the participation of NHL players in the next two Winter Olympics. In theory, the NHL is capable of persuading the International Hockey Federation to allow Russians to participate in the Games. Otherwise, there won’t be much point in returning the NHL players to the Olympic tournament. But this is in theory. How it will be in practice is an open question.
It is closed only for Belarusians. Due to the suspension from international tournaments for the 2024/25 season, the Belarusian team will not be able to take part in the final Olympic qualifying round, which will take place in August 2024.
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