The International Ice Hockey Federation refuses to admit that sanctions were imposed against Russia. The organization does not punish athletes on a national basis, so why are Russians not allowed to the World Cup? It’s all about security policy.

Again. In the security policy!

Russia was punished, but not because of sanctions

The Russian Ice Hockey Federation made an attempt to appeal against the sanctions of the Board of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). Recall that our national teams and even for some reason clubs were suspended from tournaments held under the auspices of the IIHF. Russian officials may not hold positions in the committees of the organization, and arbitrators should not work at international tournaments. Among other things, our country was deprived of the opportunity to hold the youth world championship in Omsk and Novosibirsk, as well as the adult world championship in St. Petersburg.

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The FHR pointed to the discriminatory nature of the restrictions, said that the removal of athletes based on nationality harms the hockey community and threatens to split it. The complaint was sent to the IIHF Disciplinary Board back in March, where they thought about the answer for almost three months and finally decided on the position.

– The decision of the IIHF Council on February 28 was not a sanction, but dictated by security policy. The IIHF Council was empowered to adopt and implement the security policy in accordance with the organization’s regulations. The security policy is not a manifestation of discrimination, – Match TV quotes the statement of the disciplinary body.

Don’t worry about reputation

Since this is a “security policy” and not sanctions, the leaders of world hockey probably do not plan to reconsider the decision to remove Russia. Because, as everyone knows, discrimination is bad and something would have to be done here, but concern for safety is a completely different thing.

Unfortunately, the IIHF explanatory team was not attached to its application, and therefore it remains unclear who and what they are protecting. Perhaps the Russians in the modern view of sports functionaries are so dangerous that they must be defended from a distance, not allowing them to any tournaments. Maybe all this is for the safety of the Russian hockey players themselves. Here they play, for example, Alexander Ovechkin and his comrades in the NHL – everything is in order with them. And as soon as they arrive at the World Cup, fans of other teams will immediately tear them to shreds. And in order to prevent such a disgrace, this cunning security policy was invented.

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No matter how ridiculous the explanation, it finally deprives of illusions about the possibility of something to agree with hockey officials and return to the old order in the short term. The IIHF has demonstrated that there is no one to negotiate with and nothing to negotiate with. This organization is not afraid of any financial and reputational losses due to the removal of Russians and is ready to endure all the troubles for ideological reasons.

Of course, some attempts can still be made – there is still a chance to achieve justice in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). By the way, FHR has already stated that they are studying such prospects. But just in case, there is no need to be overly optimistic about a possible court decision, so as not to get upset again after a while. The IIHF, apparently, will continue to protect itself from the Russians and, accordingly, the Russians from itself within the framework of the security policy.