CAS admits 'divisive reaction' to ruling
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has defended a ruling issued last week that upheld an appeal by Russia’s ice hockey federation (RIHF) against its exclusion from international competitions held by the sport’s governing body.
A panel of the Lausanne-based court found that the arguments made by the world body, the IIHF, citing safety, security and other concerns were “not supported by sufficient evidence”.
In a statement yesterday (5 November), CAS acknowledged what it described as “the divisive reaction” to the ruling.
'Legal substance'
“CAS wishes to reiterate that, as an independent sports arbitration institution, rulings are made on the legal substance of an appeal and on the sole basis of the arguments and evidence submitted by the parties,” it said.
The court added that the RIHF and the IIHF knew the legal questions to be discussed and the consequences of the appeal being upheld or dismissed.
It stated that the organisational consequences of the ruling, as well as the potential introduction of a neutrality regime – requiring Russian athletes to compete under a neutral flag – were “neither substantiated by sufficient evidence nor sought by the IIHF during the proceedings”.
Boycott threat
The court said that it could not impose measures that had not been requested by the parties to a dispute.
In response to the ruling, Finland has been trying to organise a boycott of upcoming tournaments in which Russia might take part.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has also ruled out allowing Russians to compete in the sport’s World Junior Championships in Alberta later this year.