Two-time Olympic champion Alexander Kozhevnikov warned that the Continental Hockey League and the Russian Ice Hockey Federation should not count on the International Ice Hockey Federation in the Ivan Fedotov case. Kozhevnikov spoke to Sovet sport, commenting on the developing situation.
He noted that the IIHF suggested a warning, but the outcome remains to be seen. The decision to accept or reject that stance, Kozhevnikov said, is ultimately up to the IIHF. He added that CSKA has often faced questions about its actions and asserted, in his view, that the federation should not feel compelled to align with the IIHF on this matter. The veteran player and analyst remarked that this isn’t the first time he has raised the point that the IIHF has limited direct relevance to CSKA’s internal decisions.
In the broader context, Fedotov played in a game against Ak Bars despite IIHF sanctions. Those sanctions included a one-season ban on international transfers for CSKA and a disqualification of Ivan Fedotov until December 31, 2023, following the club’s agreement with Fedotov despite a valid contract with the Philadelphia Flyers.
Socialbites.ca live-commentated the CSKA–Ak Bars match, held at Moscow’s CSKA Arena, where Ak Bars emerged victorious with a 5-2 scoreline.
Former Russian national team coach Vladimir Krikunov announced that additional IIHF sanctions were forthcoming, signaling ongoing tensions surrounding the case and the league’s handling of disciplinary actions.