Russia and Belarus hockey teams extended ban on participation in international competitions
4 February 21:19
The International Ice Hockey Federation has banned the national teams of Russia and Belarus from participating in the 2025-2026 season. This is reported on the website of the ice hockey federation, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
This decision was made at a meeting of the Council of the International Ice Hockey Federation, which took place in Switzerland from February 2 to 4.
“The Council of the International Ice Hockey Federation believes that the reintegration of the national and club teams of Russia and Belarus into the championships of the 2025-2026 season is still dangerous. As the current security conditions do not allow for the necessary requirements to be met to organize tournaments that guarantee safety for all, the federation maintains the current status quo until further notice,” the International Ice Hockey Federation said.
As you know, the national teams of Russia and Belarus have been suspended from international competitions since February 28, 2022, after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
A representative of the Russian national team said that they would appeal the decision of the International Ice Hockey Federation in court.
The 2026 World Championship will be held in Zurich and Fribourg (Switzerland). The Russian and Belarusian national teams will also miss the 2025 World Championship, which will be held in Sweden and Denmark.
However, the federation’s decision does not apply to the potential participation of these teams in the 2026 Winter Olympics. This decision will be made by the International Olympic Committee.
As it is known, the day before, the Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine Matviy Bidnyi and the President of the All-Ukrainian Ice Hockey Federation Serhiy Mazur signed an official letter to the President of the International Ice Hockey Federation Lucien Tardif, in which they called for the continuation of the suspension of the hockey teams of the aggressor countries from international competitions.
