International hockey response to CAS ruling on Russia

Following a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) that allows Russian teams to participate in all International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) championships starting in 2027, various European stakeholders have expressed concern or disagreement.

In Latvia, former national team defenseman Ralfs Freibergs criticized the IIHF for a perceived lack of preparedness regarding legal risks. Freibergs noted that while he would personally refuse to play, a solo Latvian boycott could force the national team to restart from the lowest division. He suggested the issue should be handled by diplomats and heads of state.

In the Czech Republic, government officials are divided. Minister for Sport Boris Šťastný filed an official protest with CAS and suggested a requirement for Russian athletes to compete under a white flag without a national anthem. Conversely, government plenipotentiary Filip Turek argued that politics should remain separate from sports. Other officials, including Deputy Speaker Patrik Nacher, raised concerns regarding security and the potential for other teams to boycott tournaments.