The RIHF Coaching Council voted against increasing the number of foreign players

The Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) approached the Russian Ministry of Sport with a proposal to increase the limit on foreign athletes allowed in a Russian ice hockey club’s team list for a KHL - Russian Championship match among men’s teams from three to five, including no more than one goalkeeper. The KHL refers to the clubs' position on the basis of the results of a conducted survey, but no justification or confirmation of the need to increase the limit was provided.

It should be noted that Federal Law No. 329-FZ dated December 4, 2007 “On Physical Culture and Sports in the Russian Federation” gives only all-Russian sporting federations the right to establish restrictions - which are approved by the Ministry of Sport of Russia - concerning participation in all-Russian official competitions in a sport for athletes who do not have the right to compete for national teams of the Russian Federation. This law does not provide for such a right for professional sporting leagues.

On February 12th, a meeting of the Coaching Council of the Russian Ice Hockey Federation (RIHF) was held under the chairmanship of Boris Mayorov. During it, the issue of increasing the limit on foreign players was considered.

The RIHF Coaching Council unanimously voted against increasing the number of foreign players.