IIHF Council Member Bure: “I am against the decision to suspend the Russian team, but I was not allowed to participate in the discussion”

Athletistic/Hockey. Pavel Bure, world champion and Olympic medalist, as well as a member of the board of directors of the International Hockey Federation (IIHF), said in an interview with Match TV that he was not authorized to participate in the discussion about the withdrawal of the Russian national team from international tournaments.

Previously, the IIHF issued a press release in which it announced the temporary suspension of the Russian and Belarusian national teams from participation in international competitions held under the auspices of the IIHF for the 2025/26 season.

“I categorically disagree with this decision of the IIHF. I am against it. I was not able to express my position at the meeting of the international federation. Immediately after the announcement of the agenda topic on the admission of Russia and Belarus to the World Championship, I was told: “Pavel will not participate in this discussion.” Then I was disconnected from online communication,” Bure said.

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