Czech politicians oppose ruling allowing Russia to return to ice hockey championships

Czech opposition politicians have strongly criticised a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport allowing Russian teams to return to international ice hockey championships with immediate effect. Russia was banned by the International Ice Hockey Federation following its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The federation says it disagrees with the ruling but will respect it, meaning Russia could compete at next May’s World Championship in Germany. Martin Kupka, Petr Fiala (both Civic Democratic Party) and Michaela Šebelová (Mayors and Independents) are among those opposing the decision, arguing that Russian teams should remain excluded while the war in Ukraine continues.