Ice hockey-Russia absent from men's 2027 world championship groups


FILE PHOTO: The logo of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) is seen in front of its seat in Zurich, Switzerland April 26, 2016. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo

June 9 (Reuters) - The ⁠International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) did not ⁠include Russia in a list of ‌teams taking part in the men's 2027 world championship on Monday, despite the governing body lifting its ban ​on the country last month.

Russia ⁠had been banned ⁠from IIHF competitions since 2022 following the invasion ⁠of ‌Ukraine.

The IIHF council re-analysed Russia's reintegration in January but maintained the ⁠ban based on safety and security concerns. ​Russia's ‌ice hockey federation appealed to the IIHF ⁠disciplinary board, ​which annulled the council's decision.

The IIHF then said Russia will not automatically be reintegrated and ⁠their eligibility in future competitions ​would be reviewed on an event-by-event basis.

The IIHF did not immediately respond to a request ⁠for comment.

The championship will be held in Germany from May 14-30 2027. Ukraine have been drawn in Group A and will ​play in the competition ⁠for the first time since 2007.

Russia have won ​the title 27 times ‌with their most recent victory ​coming in 2014.

(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

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