Urheilu asked the president of the International Hockey Federation, Luc Tardif, why the pro-Russian Fasel is still allowed to keep his title.
14:42•Updated 14:52
The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) organized a press conference on the final day of the World Cup, where the IIHF president answered questions from the media Luc Tardif.
Urheilu asked Tardif how it is possible that Vladimir Putin openly supportive René Fasel can still be the honorary president of the IIHF.
– First of all, the ice hockey federations of both Russia and Belarus are still part of the IIHF, even though both countries are now excluded from the games. “We’re constantly re-evaluating these things as we try to resolve the issues,” Tardif began his lengthy response.
– We always try to give peace a chance. But to remove the rights completely… we would need some really significant bug for that. So at the moment we have decided to freeze the situation, but we are constantly discussing such issues with the government, Tardif said.
Fasel led the International Ice Hockey Federation for almost thirty years between 1994 and 2021. Even during his presidency, he was openly pro-Russia. When Fasel’s run in the IIHF ended, he moved ever closer to Putin’s sphere of influence.
Today, Fasel does business as an oligarch belonging to Putin’s inner circle Gennady Timchenko with. Fasel received Russian citizenship last year.
Tardif said that despite everything, Fasel can keep his title at least for the time being.
– I understand what you mean. Now the IIHF and Fasel have parted ways. But 27 years in the service of the union…, Tardif said and quickly changed the subject.
– Every year we make decisions to take care of the safety of the Games. And we make sure that the World Cup tournament is not harmed by the situations in Ukraine and Gaza.