Politics · Singapore Bureau
Belarus ice hockey federation signals legal challenge to IIHF ban
Belarus's national ice hockey federation has indicated it may pursue an appeal through the Court of Arbitration for Sport following the International Ice Hockey Federation's decision to uphold its exclusion from the 2027 World Championships.
LSN Singapore ·
The Belarus Ice Hockey Federation said Saturday it is considering an appeal after the IIHF maintained its ban on Belarusian national teams from competing in both the men's World Championship and World Junior Championship scheduled for 2027.
The ruling represents a continuation of sanctions imposed on Belarus by world ice hockey's governing body. The federation has not publicly detailed the specific grounds for its potential legal challenge, but suggested that recourse through the Court of Arbitration for Sport remains a viable option.
The exclusion is part of broader international sanctions affecting Belarusian sports participation. The IIHF's decision to maintain the ban through 2027 underscores the federation's stance on the matter, despite the Belarusian body's indication that it may contest the ruling.
Any appeal would need to be formally lodged with the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which serves as the final arbiter in disputes involving international sports federations and their member nations. The timeline for such an appeal and the court's potential review remain unclear at present.