A state Duma deputy, Roman Teryushkov, voiced sharp criticism regarding the display of the 2023 World Ice Hockey Championship inside Russia. The international event was held from May 12 to May 28, with games staged in Riga, Latvia, and Tampere, Finland. Teryushkov questioned the purpose of spending substantial public funds to highlight a competition that Russia does not participate in, especially when the broadcast environment is dominated by channels aligned with political adversaries. He compared showcasing the World Cup to a ceremonial display of influence that does not have a direct audience inside the country, likening it to an event that Russia itself had no invitation to attend. He also noted the absence of balanced coverage on central television, pointing to Eurovision broadcasts as a contrast, where Russia often avoids such content. In his view, central channels did not feature Eurovision or a coronation ceremony, yet dared to broadcast the World Hockey Championship through a channel such as Match TV, which he described as bold and risky to air publicly. (Source: deputy legal betting commentary.)
The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) had decided that Russian players would be excluded from participation in global competitions, even in a neutral capacity, a policy that remained in force in 2023. This decision came despite Russia’s request to host the home junior world championship in that same year. (Source: IIHF governance statements.)
Earlier in July 2022, the IIHF disciplinary committee rejected the Russian Ice Hockey Federation’s appeal to rejoin international events. This decision effectively kept Russian teams out of several key tournaments for that season, reinforcing the federation’s ongoing challenges on the world stage. (Source: IIHF disciplinary records.)
Former hockey official Leonid Weisfeld offered explanations centered on perceived disinterest in the 2023 World Cup and its impact on Russia’s standing in international hockey. Weisfeld suggested that the decision-making environment surrounding Russia’s international participation had shifted and that public interest in the global championship under the IIHF framework may not align with broader strategic aims. (Source: remarks from Weisfeld.)