Court of Arbitration for Sport defends Russian hockey reinstatement, says IIHF failed to justify ban

The Court of Arbitration for Sport defended its decision to reinstate Russia to international hockey competition Thursday, saying the ruling was based strictly on the legal arguments and evidence presented.

Russian teams had been barred from international hockey since 2022 invasion of Ukraine

The Canadian Press

· Posted: Nov 05, 2026 11:43 AM EST | Last Updated: 19 minutes ago

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The Court of Arbitration for Sport defended its decision to reinstate Russia to international hockey competition Thursday, saying the ruling was based strictly on the legal arguments and evidence presented.

In a statement acknowledging the divisive reaction to last week's ruling, CAS said the International Ice Hockey Federation failed to provide sufficient evidence to justify continuing its ban on Russian teams.

Russian and Belarusian teams have been barred from international hockey since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

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CAS said the IIHF did not make a strong enough case to support its concerns about bringing Russia back into competition or allowing Russian players to compete as neutral athletes.

The statement comes after Prime Minister Mark Carney declared Tuesday that Russian players would not be permitted to compete at next month's world junior hockey championship in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alta.

The IIHF has opposed Russia's immediate reinstatement, citing security, logistical and competitive concerns, while several European hockey federations have said their teams would refuse to face Russia.

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Prime Minister Mark Carney said while Russia and Belarus are supporting 'this illegal and unjustified war in Ukraine,' no athlete representing either country will be allowed to compete in Canada, including at this winter's World Junior Hockey Championship in Alberta.

With files from Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press' Bill Graveland, Donna Spencer and The Associated Press' James Ellingworth, Stephen Whyno, Karel Janicek, Reuters and CBC Sports