Finland will pursue national entry restrictions for Russian athletes without waiting for European Union rules, Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen told Helsingin Sanomat, after CAS allowed Russian teams into five 2027 hockey championships.
In a Sunday post on X, Valtonen linked Finland’s position to the continuation of Russia’s war against Ukraine and said she would press the issue in the coming days. She said Russian athletes would have no place in Finland next year if the war continued.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) issued its ruling Oct. 30. It covers five championships scheduled for 2027 and permits the Russian Ice Hockey Federation to enter teams in those events. The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) said it was disappointed with the decision.
Yle reported CAS found insufficient evidence for the security concerns the IIHF cited in its restrictions. The IIHF has said those measures were intended to protect participants and competition integrity.
The IIHF said implementing the ruling will require coordination with member associations, organizers and host authorities on event formats, schedules, travel, accommodation and safety. It said it would assess the steps and timing, then provide further information in due course. The IIHF did not give a date for an update.
