Finland has threatened to boycott international ice hockey tournaments if its teams are required to face Russia while the war in Ukraine continues. The position follows a ruling that could allow Russian teams to return to international competition, including the 2027 World Championship in Germany.
“We will not play against Russia,” Finnish Ice Hockey Association president Heikki Hietanen said in a statement. He added that the association was seeking support from other countries for a joint stance to signal to the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) that they would not play Russia “under these circumstances.”
Last week, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld an appeal by the Russian Ice Hockey Federation against the IIHF. The ruling overturned with immediate effect the IIHF’s decision to exclude Russian teams during the 2026–27 season, potentially making them eligible for the World Championship scheduled for May 2027 in Germany.
Russia had been barred from international tournaments and world championships by the IIHF since late February 2022, following its invasion of Ukraine. Finland beat Russia 2–1 in the Olympic final in Beijing shortly before the war began.
The German Ice Hockey Federation is considering whether it can proceed with hosting the men’s championship as planned. Its chief executive, Frank Lutz, told MagentaSport that the federation did not want to cast doubt on the event but would have to consider the possibility of returning it.
The German government has also described the CAS decision as “very critical.” A government spokesperson said officials would discuss the ruling’s possible consequences, including for the 2027 World Championship, with the German federation soon.
Sources: FAZ.