Finland’s national ice hockey teams will not play against Russia while the war in Ukraine continues, the Finnish federation has said. The position, set out on the evening of 2 November, opens a new confrontation over Russia’s return to international tournaments. Finland is trying to bring other federations into a common stance rather than act alone.
The response follows the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s ruling on 30 October requiring the International Ice Hockey Federation to readmit Russian teams to its competitions. The Finnish federation says it is examining every available means of keeping Russia out of world championship tournaments. Its board wants decisions based on legal preparation and the interests of the Finnish hockey community.
Federation president Heikki Hietanen argues that a group of countries refusing matches would carry more weight than a single national declaration. The immediate distinction is important: refusing to face Russia is not the same as announcing that Finland has withdrawn from every championship. Tournament participation and the practical consequences remain questions for the governing bodies.
The IIHF council began a two-day meeting on 2 November, with Russia’s position a central issue. Hietanen, who represents Finland on the council, said the federation would continue its work and provide further information as the situation develops. The statement does not establish the final outcome of that meeting or the detailed arrangements for Russian participation.
The dispute leaves organisers, players and supporters waiting for more than a legal ruling. A tournament still needs a workable schedule, participating teams and agreed competition conditions. Finland’s refusal raises the cost of treating reinstatement as a purely administrative step, while the next decisions will show whether a wider coalition forms and how the IIHF responds.
