CAS judge visited Moscow before ruling for Russia

A judge who led the panel that ruled Russia can compete in the 2027 Ice Hockey World Championship visited Moscow 17 days before his appointment, raising questions about the decision's impartiality. The Court of Arbitration for Sport says the trip was private and unrelated. Italian jurist Giulio Palermo attended a legal conference in Moscow on September 22 before being named panel leader on October 9. The court ruled in Russia's favor on October 30, and Palermo has denied bias, calling allegations defamatory and considering legal action. Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Latvia, and the Czech Republic have refused to play Russia following the ruling. The decision also moved Norway's junior team to a lower division, with the tournament relocated from Canada to Budapest.