IIHF weighs appeal as CAS ruling reinstates Russia in hockey

Doubts have emerged over the competence of Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) judges after a ruling reinstated Russia in international hockey, with two of the three arbitrators reportedly having visited Russia for conferences in the past 18 months. The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) is considering an appeal to the Swiss Federal Court, citing the judges' visits as a strong reason, but has not yet filed one as it awaits the full ruling, which could take up to six months. Norway has been notified it must leave the elite division of the U-20 World Championship, scheduled for late December, to make room for Russia, while Latvia has received a new game calendar including Russia. IIHF council member Viesturs Koziols confirmed alternative decisions are being prepared to potentially re-exclude Russia, though details remain undisclosed. He rejected calls from Latvia's Education and Science Minister Ilze Indriksone to resign, arguing that staying in the federation allows for greater influence over decisions. Belarus remains partially reinstated, including in the U-18 elite division, with no reversal of that decision yet.