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Belarus’ Ice Hockey Federation slams IIHF ban extension

Photo by the Belarusian Ice Hockey Federation

MINSK, 23 January (BelTA) - The Belarusian Ice Hockey Federation has expressed its firm disagreement with the decision of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) to bar national and club teams from participating in international competitions under the organization’s auspices, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Ice Hockey Federation.

At the meeting on 21 January the IIHF Council made a decision to extend the suspension of the national teams of Belarus and Russia from tournaments under its authority for the 2026/27 season. Federation members cited “security conditions” as the reason for this decision. In connection with this ruling, the Belarusian Ice Hockey Federation has sent an open letter to the IIHF Council.

“This decision was made without any consultation with the Belarusian Ice Hockey Federation. Despite numerous requests, the Belarusian Ice Hockey Federation was not given the opportunity to present its position and arguments. Once again, the IIHF Council has failed to provide any supporting documents, relying solely on the very vague notion of ‘security conditions’, the letter reads.

According to the press service, the IIHF Council’s decisions since February 2022 have been discriminatory towards Belarusian hockey teams and community members and are made on national and political grounds. “This seems particularly cynical given numerous statements about a commitment to integrity principles, including the recently announced Holding the Line Together campaign. The IIHF Council systematically fails to apply these principles to Belarusian hockey,” the letter says.

“We consider the IIHF Council’s decisions to be unjustified, unfair, illegal, in violation of the organization’s own statutes, and inconsistent with the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from 11 December 2025. The Belarusian Ice Hockey Federation intends to protect the legitimate rights and interests of its members by appealing the IIHF decisions, utilizing the appeals procedures within the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS),” the letter emphasizes.

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