Germany is considering withdrawing as host of next year's Ice Hockey World Championship after several European countries said they would not play Russia, Euronews reports. The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled on 30 October that the International Ice Hockey Federation must let Russian national teams of every age group compete again, overturning a four-year ban. The IIHF said it disagreed but would comply.
Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Latvia and the Czech Republic have said they will refuse to face Russia at the tournament, due in May, and Austria is considering doing the same. Frank Lutz, who chairs the German federation DEB, said the decision changed the situation fundamentally and that a Russian return would carry serious security, political and economic consequences for the host. Finland's foreign minister said she would ask EU colleagues to restrict Russian athletes' access to the Schengen area.
Source: Euronews