KHL President Defiant About IIHF Sanctions on Ivan Fedotov

The International Ice Hockey Federation threatened to further sanction Philadelphia Flyers prospect Ivan Fedotov and his Russian team for defying its ruling, while the KHL president strongly defended the decision to allow the goaltender to play.

Fedotov played in CSKA Moscow’s opening game Friday despite the IIHF’s sanction that he couldn’t play in Russia until Jan. 1, 2024.

KHL president Alexei Morozov stood up for Fedotov’s right to play.

“CSKA named Ivan Fedotov on its roster for the game,” said KHL president Alexei Morozov, as posted on KHL’s website. “The KHL accepted this roster in accordance with our central database, therefore Fedotov can play. 

“Neither the KHL nor the club agree with the IIHF’s decision, which infringes the constitutional rights of a Russian citizen to work. Russia’s prosecutor general spoke in defense of the player, and sent a message to the Russian Hockey Federation, the club and the league about the consequences of violating his right to work and insisting that Fedotov be allowed to take part in the championship.”

☑ pic.twitter.com/r4P1kHiPPe

— KHL (@khl_eng) September 1, 2023

Morozov said whether Fedotov continues to play with CSKA would be the decision of the coaching staff.

The IIHF sanction came because of a contract dispute between the NHL and Russian Ice Hockey Federation. The Philadelphia Flyers, who drafted Fedotov in 2015, were ruled to have a valid contract with the goaltender in August. The Russian federation appealed the IIHF ruling, pointing out that Fedotov had signed a contract with CSKA.

The Russian federation ignored the sanction and played Fedotov anyway.

The IIHF’s Statement Friday:

On 1 September 2023, Ivan Fedotov played in the first CSKA regular season game against Ak Bars, despite the sporting sanctions the IIHF imposed on both Ivan Fedotov, and CSKA Hockey Club.

 As Ivan Fedotov participation on 1 September for CSKA results in a violation of the IIHF Decision issued against Fedotov, the IIHF will refer Ivan Fedotov to the IIHF Disciplinary Board in accordance with Art. 12.1.1.iv of the IIHF Disciplinary Code.

 Further, as CSKA and the Russian Ice Hockey Federation allowed Ivan Fedotov to participate without a valid transfer as required in Section II Art. 3.5 of the International Transfer Regulations, the IIHF will implement a 5,000 CHF fine on the Russian Ice Hockey Federation for allowing a player to play without a transfer.

If Fedotov continues to play without a valid transfer, the IIHF will submit the case to the IIHF Disciplinary Board who shall have the power to implement additional sanctions to the respective parties involved including Ivan Fedotov, CSKA and the Russian Ice Hockey Federation.

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