RIHF statement concerning the IIHF's decision to extend Russia's ban for the 2024/2025 season

The Russian Ice Hockey Federation (RIHF) is disappointed with the decision made by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) to extend the ban concerning the participation of Russian and Belarusian national teams in its competitions during the 2024/2025 season.

The RIHF considers the IIHF Council meeting, which was staged without the participation of Russian representatives, to be discriminatory.

Furthermore, the RIHF does not agree with the arguments put forward by the IIHF with regard to safety. While Russia and Belarus remain banned, national teams representing countries which are conducting armed conflicts are continuing to participate in IIHF competitions.

The RIHF believes that the decision to ban Russian national teams is being lobbied by representatives of certain ice hockey federations which are afraid of additional competition on the international ice hockey arena.