A scandal in world hockey: Russia once again spits on international rules

CSKA Moscow decided not to obey the decision of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) to disqualify Russian national team goalkeeper Ivan Fedotov. The capital club spit on this decision of the organization and announced that the sanctions were recognized as unlawful, and the player himself will play for the team from the beginning of the new season.

This was announced by the president of the army team Igor Esmantovich in a commentary for the propaganda channel Match TV. According to him, CSKA has registered Fedotov's contract with the Russian Hockey Federation (FHR) and the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). As early as September 1, the goalie will be able to take the ice in the first official game of the season.

"CSKA passed the application to the FHL and KHL. Fedotov will play from September 1. He is a CSKA team player. I would not like to interpret the nuances on this issue. I believe that we did everything legally correct. That's how the IIHF reacted. It's not correct to talk about it. The lawyers are dealing with it," said Esmantovich.

It should be noted that the IIHF has already commented on CSKA's decision, threatening the Moscow club with disciplinary proceedings. The Russians could face expulsion of the federation from the IIHF.

Note that Fedotov was disqualified for signing a contract with CSKA Moscow, having a current agreement with Philadelphia, with whom the Russian national team goalkeeper agreed to transfer in May 2022. The very next month, the hockey player was detained and forcibly conscripted into the Russian army.

It is assumed that the athlete was sent to the Russian Armed Forces on purpose to prevent him from moving to an NHL club. At the same time, CSKA Moscow signed a parallel agreement with Ivan.

As reported by OBOZREVATEL, two-time Olympic champion Vyacheslav Fetisov threw a real tantrum over the disqualification of Ivan Fedotov, calling to "shove in one place" the decision of the IIHF. And coach Gennady Kurdin complained that the IIHF doesn't consider Russians to be human beings. In turn, Alexander Kozhevnikov said that Russia will "start to die out" if it leaves the IIHF.

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