Poland's hockey federation speaks out against Russia's return to world hockey

Poland has joined the row over Russia's return to international ice hockey. The country's hockey federation has come out against letting Russian teams back in.

The statement follows a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), sport's top court, which obliged the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) to admit Russian national teams to its tournaments. Several European countries have since threatened to boycott competitions if Russia returns.

Poland's statement is notable for what it leaves out. The federation did not say it would join a boycott. It only made clear that it opposes the Russians coming back.

Background

The IIHF suspended Russian and Belarusian teams on 28 February 2022, after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Russia's hockey chief has said the CAS ruling is final, while the boycott threats in Europe keep growing.

For now, it is unclear how the IIHF will respond to the ruling and to the pressure from its European members.