Putin criticises Russia sports bans as hockey row grows

Vladimir Putin criticised countries opposing Russia's return to international sport on Thursday, as several European ice hockey teams said they would refuse to play Russia at the 2027 world championships over the war in Ukraine.

Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the Czech Republic said on Tuesday that they would not play Russia at the tournament in Germany, following Finland. Russia has been barred from International Ice Hockey Federation events since 2022, but the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled in favour of admitting it to the world championships.

Putin praised the International Olympic Committee and the Court of Arbitration for Sport for what he called decisions upholding the Olympic Charter. He told a televised government meeting that restrictions on Russian sport were "political rather than legal".

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Tuesday that Russia would not be allowed to compete at the next World Junior Hockey Championships.

The 2027 world championships are due to be held in Germany in May, but the draw and schedule have already been made without Russia. Russia has been mostly banned from international sport since 2022, though some restrictions have eased in recent months, a trend criticised by Ukraine.