The Russian Hockey Federation (RHF) believes that the decision to exclude the Russian national team was lobbied by some hockey federations who feared competition. The relevant statement appeared on: FHR’s official website.
“The Russian Hockey Federation is disappointed by the decision of the International Hockey Federation to extend the suspension of Russian teams from international tournaments of the IIHF system for the 2024/25 season.
“FHR notes that the IIHF Council meeting was held without the participation of Russian representatives and considers the decision taken to be discriminatory.”
The International Hockey Federation (IIHF) Council meeting, where it was decided to extend the suspension of the Russians, took place on February 12-13. According to the IIHF press service, the council will continue to monitor the situation and in May 2025 will consider the reintegration of the Russian and Belarusian national teams for the 2025/26 season.
In the spring of 2022, the IIHF decided to ban Russian players from participating in international tournaments, even with neutral status, and the organization also stripped Russia of the right to host the junior world championship in its home country in 2023.
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