Official RIHF statement following the decision taken by the IIHF to extend the ban preventing Russian teams from playing in international competitions

The Russian Ice Hockey Federation (RIHF) reports that it was not admitted to the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Council meeting held on 21 January, and expresses its disappointment at not being able to participate in the discussion and express its position.

The RIHF is convinced that the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) decision to recommend that international federations admit Russian and Belarusian juniors to international tournaments upholds the Olympic movement's principles of non-discrimination, particularly against young athletes. However, the IIHF took the decision to ignore the IOC's recommendations.

The RIHF believes that the argument regarding the impossibility of ensuring the safety of participants in international tournaments involving Russian national teams is no longer relevant, lacks any basis, and is merely a formal pretext for denying our country's participation.

For its part, the RIHF considers this approach unacceptable and will appeal the IIHF's decision to disqualify our teams from participating in international competitions during the 2026/2027 season to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).