Two-time Olympic champion Vyacheslav Fetisov weighed in on the decision by the Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation to cut the number of foreign players allowed in a KHL team’s lineup from five to three. The report is carried by KP Sports.
Fetisov described foreign players as ambassadors who help connect Russia with their families back home and with friends, ultimately sharing genuine perspectives of life in Russia. He argued that this exchange fosters a form of soft influence that can contribute positively to the league by raising the level of play and the experience of domestic players.
On January 25, the International Olympic Committee issued a statement regarding the possibility of Russian athletes who do not support actions in Ukraine competing in international events under a neutral status.
Previously, the International Ice Hockey Federation had decided to exclude Russian players from international competition, even under a neutral status, and had revoked Russia’s rights to host certain international events at home.
Alexander Kozhevnikov, a former two-time Olympic champion, offered commentary on the IIHF discussions about whether the Russian team might participate in the 2024 World Championship, noting the ongoing debates within the sport’s governing bodies about Russian involvement in global play. (Source attribution: IIHF communications)