Degtyarev urged the IOC to give a tough assessment of the IIHF for the exclusion of Russians

The actions of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and the Canadian authorities, which prevented the Russian youth team from performing at the 2027 World Cup, should receive the “strongest assessment” from the International Olympic Committee, Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev said in his Telegram channel.

“We are convinced that the actions of the IIHF, the Ice Hockey Federation of Canada and the Government of Canada should receive the most rigorous assessment of the IOC, international sports organizations and entail consequences for their status and the right to host international competitions,” he wrote.

Degtyarev said that the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) will appeal to the IOC with a complaint against the IIHF because of the refusal to ensure the participation of the Russian team in the tournament.

According to the minister, “the only legitimate decision” would be to transfer the championship from Canada to a country that is ready to ensure the participation of all admitted teams, including Russia. He added that the Russian side has already demanded to take measures against the National Olympic Committee of Canada and the Ice Hockey Federation of Canada.

Degtyarev called the arguments of the IIHF about “force majeure circumstances” untenable.

The CAS decision to admit Russian teams was expected and predictable. The IIHF had enough time to work out the possibility of moving the competition in advance, he said.

The IIHF previously announced that the Russian youth team will not be able to compete at the 2027 World Cup due to restrictions imposed by the Canadian authorities. The federation considered alternative options for the competition, but decided to keep the tournament with Canada.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said that Russian hockey players will not receive visas. Canadian Sports Minister Adam van Couverden said that the country will take measures to prevent Russian athletes and officials from entering the tournament, regardless of whether they have visas.

The Youth Ice Hockey World Championships will be held from December 26 to January 5 in the Canadian cities of Edmonton and Red Deer.