International Ice Hockey Federation investigates Russia’s incorporation of teams from occupied Ukrainian territories into its tournament system

The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has launched an investigation into evidence that teams from Ukraine's temporarily occupied territories are competing in tournaments held under the auspices of the Russian Ice Hockey Federation.

Source: journalist Gord Miller

Quote: "The IIHF has formally opened an investigation into evidence presented by the Ukrainian Ice Hockey Federation that teams from the portion of Ukraine that Russia currently occupies have been incorporated into the Russian hockey system. If proven true, this could result in Russia being banned again."

Background:

• It was recently reported that Russian organisers entered a team from occupied Luhansk in the Interregional Competitions of Russia's Southern and North Caucasian Federal Districts.
• The competitions are held under the auspices of the Russian Ice Hockey Federation, which recently secured the return of Russia's national team to international competitions through the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
• This was not Russia's first attempt to integrate the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories into its sporting system. Earlier this year, CAS ordered the Russian Chess Federation to withdraw from Ukraine's occupied territories, but the ruling was ignored.
• Later, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) temporarily suspended the Russian Chess Federation for failing to comply with the CAS ruling.

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