The Ministry of Sport of Germany urged not to solve the issue of Russia’s participation in the World Cup through visas
Minister Raue was asked whether Russians will receive visas for the 2020 World Cup. He said that it is necessary to help the IIHF not to allow the Russian team to the tournament, and not to solve the issue with the help of visa denials
German Sports Minister Ronald Raue said that the question of the participation of the Russian hockey team in the 2027 World Cup should not be solved through the denial of visas. This was reported by the press service of the Bundestag, at a meeting of the committee of which Raue spoke on November 11.
German authorities have criticized the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on the admission of the Russian national team and said that they will discuss the possible refusal of the tournament. On November 12, Finland announced restrictions on the entry of Russian athletes into the country.
Asked if the German government would grant visas to Russians, Raue said their participation should not be decided politically. According to him, it is necessary to help the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) to come to a decision, which, of course, would imply the exclusion of Russia from participation in the World Cup.
"Ultimately, visa denial is not a solution for the hockey federation and does not contribute to the success of the World Cup," Raue said.
Press Secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov on November 8 said that the situation with the reaction of hockey federations in different countries to the decision to allow the Russian national teams “unforeseen and quite a dead end.”.
Russian national teams have not participated in IIHF tournaments since 2022 due to the military operation in Ukraine. The Russian men’s team missed the Olympics in Italy and five world championships.
