The IIHF extended the suspension of the Russian and Belarus national hockey teams for the 2024/25 season
The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has extended the ban on participation in competitions under the auspices of the organization for the national teams of Russia and Belarus for the 2024/25 season. The national teams of Russia and Belarus were suspended from participation in IIHF tournaments in February 2022.
“The IIHF Council reviewed the current security risks associated with the reintegration of national and club teams of Russia and Belarus into competitions. Based on a thorough analysis, the council came to the conclusion that the return of the Russian and Belarusian national teams to IIHF competitions is not yet safe, therefore these teams will not take part in the 2024/25 season,” the statement reads. message on the federation website.
The decision to extend the ban on participation in competitions for Russian and Belarusian hockey players was made at a meeting of the IIHF Council, which was held on February 12-13. The Belarus team's suspension also applies to the final Olympic qualifying round, which will take place in August.
The national teams of Russia and Belarus have been suspended from participation in IIHF tournaments since February 2022 due to hostilities in Ukraine. In October 2023, the Ice Hockey Federation published a preliminary program for the group stages of the 2026 Winter Olympics, in which the Russian team is assigned to Group C with the note “theoretical seeding position in the event of a decision being made to return the team to the championship program.”
Read more about restrictions for athletes from Russia in the Kommersant article. "My own game".
