Ice hockey impasse as Russia threatens sanctions on Canada, Germany
Russia's Ice Hockey Federation has warned it will demand compensation and impose sanctions if Canada and Germany refuse to allow Russian teams to participate in international tournaments.
The threat comes after Canada confirmed it would not allow Russian players to participate in the IIHF World Junior Championship starting December 26 in Alberta. Canada's position is unequivocal: as long as Russia continues its war of aggression against Ukraine, there can be no return to business as usual, said Adam van Koeverden, Canada's Secretary of Sport.
Russian demands
Russian Ice Hockey Federation President Vladislav Tretiak warned that should Canada and Germany refuse to allow the Russian team to participate, "we will demand compensation, enforce the postponement of the competitions, and impose sanctions on the organizers." He emphasized that "if a team does not take the ice, it receives a forfeit loss and sanctions are imposed."
The IIHF as a way out — either allow us to participate or, if we cannot enter Canada, move the championship, don't hold it at all, or impose sanctions on Canada.
International response
Following the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling in late October, which said security concerns for barring Russian teams were insufficient, the IIHF pledged to comply with the decision. Norway has already been bumped from the World Juniors and informed that Russia would take its place, though the IIHF has not confirmed this change.
Several national hockey associations have stated they will not play against Russia. With major sponsors threatening to pull out, a German government spokesman described hosting the tournament under these conditions as "effectively impossible."
German dilemma
Germany has ruled out taking the Canadian approach of refusing visas. Refusing to grant visas is not a solution for the German ice hockey federation, nor is it a solution for successfully hosting a World Championship anywhere, said Ronald Rauhe, Germany's minister of state for sport.
German officials face additional complications as they worry that taking a hardline on Russia could jeopardize Munich's Olympic bid for 2036, 2040 or 2044. The IOC recently lifted sanctions on Russian athletes, opening the door for their return to competition.
Path forward
For now, the ball appears to be in the IIHF's court after Canada confirmed its refusal to grant Russians visas. How the dispute regarding the World Juniors gets resolved could go a long way to pointing the way forward for the men's tournament in Germany next May.
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