Roman Rotenberg, who serves as head coach for Russia 25, addressed the reasons behind the absence of the Chinese team from the Channel One Cup. His comments were noted by Sports24, highlighting that the decision originated from authorities in China rather than from the organizing committee of the tournament.
According to Rotenberg, the China’s Ministry of Sports issued a ban on its teams taking part in the Channel One Cup. A formal letter confirming the measure was received by the organizers, though no additional details were provided publicly at that moment.
The Channel One Cup is scheduled to take place in St. Petersburg from December 14 to December 17. Alongside Russia 25, the competition will feature the national teams of Belarus and Kazakhstan, as well as the Stars and VHL teams, creating a diverse field for the event.
Looking back at recent international hockey governance, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) decided in the spring of 2022 to prevent Russian players from participating in international tournaments, even when competing under neutral status. The IIHF also revoked Russia’s right to host the 2023 junior world championship on home soil, a move that signaled broader sanctions on Russian participation in externally organized events.
On October 12, 2023, the International Olympic Committee announced the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee until further notice. The decision followed the inclusion of the Olympic Councils from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, along with areas such as Zaporozhye and Kherson, within the Russian organizational framework. The suspension reinforced ongoing debates about eligibility and representation for teams connected to Russia in various international sports structures.
There are historical notes indicating that a Russian club had previously expressed interest in competing in the Belarusian Championship, reflecting ongoing discussions about cross-border participation in regional leagues despite broader sanctions and eligibility constraints.