World hockey championship: Germany is demanding Russia be excluded, but can the host make it happen?
Germany faces a hosting dilemma
Government spokesman Stefan Kornelius said discussions with the German Ice Hockey Federation and other stakeholders had not resolved the impasse following the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling. He said Russia’s participation would make hosting the championship practically impossible, both for sport and financially.
Germany still hopes to stage the tournament as scheduled in May, in Gelsenkirchen, Mannheim and Düsseldorf. Kornelius said officials would continue dialogue to find a way forward despite the anticipated boycotts.
Boycotts threaten the tournament
Finland, Sweden and Czechia are among the countries that have said they would refuse to play Russia in any tournament where it is allowed to compete. Several sponsors have also threatened to leave if Russian players take part.
The first event affected could be the men’s World Juniors in Canada, beginning in late December. The men’s world championship in Germany follows in May.
Visa questions and objections
A Foreign Ministry spokesman did not give a definitive answer when asked whether Germany could issue visas to a Russian team, but indicated that current restrictions would make this difficult. Spokesperson Martin Giese said Russia’s war against Ukraine meant there could be no return to normality.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Russian players would not compete at the World Juniors in Alberta while Russia and Belarus continued supporting the war. Russian President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, accused countries opposing Russia’s return to international sport of violating athletes’ rights.
Federation talks remain unresolved
The International Ice Hockey Federation’s council held meetings on Monday and Tuesday to seek agreement after the court ruling, then extended discussions into Thursday. By Friday, members had still not reached a consensus.
Germany’s federation chairman, Frank Lutz, had said the country might have to consider giving up its hosting role. The women’s world championship opened in Denmark; it is not affected by the ruling. The World Juniors are due to begin in Alberta on December 26.
Key points
- Germany wants to host the men’s world championship in May despite uncertainty over Russia’s participation.
- Finland, Sweden and Czechia have said they would not play Russia in tournaments where it is eligible.
- Sponsors have threatened to withdraw, and Germany says the event could become practically impossible to stage.
- The international federation had not reached agreement by Friday, with the World Juniors set to start December 26.