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IIHF Disciplinary Board Overturns Ban on Russian Teams for 2026-2027 Season
The IIHF's disciplinary board has overturned the Council's decision to ban Russian teams from the 2026-2027 season, finding insufficient grounds for the suspension. The IIHF governing body must now reconsider the issue, as Russia continues legal challenges against the sanctions that have been in place since 2022.
Quick Facts
Who
International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF)
What
IIHF disciplinary board overturned Council decision to ban Russian teams
When
May 28, 2026
Where
Moscow, Russia
- IIHF disciplinary board overturned Council decision to ban Russian teams
- Disciplinary board concluded arguments lacked sufficient grounds for suspension
- IIHF governing body required to hold new meeting on the issue
- RIHF filed appeal with disciplinary board
- RIHF filed appeal with Court of Arbitration for Sport
The International Ice Hockey Federation's disciplinary body has overturned a decision by the IIHF Council to bar Russian teams from competing in the 2026-2027 season, according to Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev on May 28. The disciplinary board determined that the IIHF's arguments and risk assessment reports lacked sufficient grounds to justify extending the suspension on security grounds. The IIHF governing body is now required to reconvene to reconsider the issue.
Russia's appeal marks the latest step in an ongoing legal dispute following sanctions imposed in 2022 against Russian and Belarusian teams from international ice hockey competitions. The Russian Ice Hockey Federation (RIHF) filed the disciplinary appeal as part of a broader legal strategy, with Degtyarev noting on Telegram that preparations for legal proceedings against the IIHF had been discussed at a recent federation conference.
The disciplinary board's decision comes amid broader shifts in international sports sanctions policy. In December 2025, the International Olympic Committee's Executive Board recommended that international sports federations permit Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in junior tournaments under their national flags and anthems in both individual and team events. The IIHF had extended its sanctions against Russian and Belarusian teams in January, but the federation has now escalated its challenge, with the RIHF also filing an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport to contest the IIHF's refusal to allow Russian participation in international tournaments.
Why This Matters
This decision signals potential cracks in international sports sanctions against Russia, with direct implications for athlete participation in elite competitions. As the IOC shifts toward permitting Russian athletes in junior events, the IIHF's legal vulnerability creates uncertainty for tournament planning and competitive structures. Sports organizations and sponsors must monitor whether this precedent accelerates broader policy reversals across federations, affecting sponsorships, broadcasting rights, and athlete careers.
Timeline & Sources
Jan 1, 2022
WireRussia and Belarus banned from international ice hockey competitions