Germany’s AfD and Left Party call for Russia to be allowed to compete in Ice Hockey World Championship despite government opposition

Source: Bild

Two German parliamentary parties have voiced support for accepting the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s decision allowing Russia’s national hockey team to return to international competition, including the world championship, which Germany will host this season.

“We see this as a return to normalcy. Of course, Russian athletes should also be issued visas,” said Jörn König, the sports policy spokesperson for Alternative for Germany.

Christian Görke, who oversees sports issues for The Left, called the court’s decision a “regrettable reality” that “cannot be ignored.” He said Russian athletes have long since returned to competing in other sports.

In late October, the Court of Arbitration for Sport demanded that Russia’s national team be allowed to return to international tournaments competing under its own flag and anthem. The decision sparked sharp opposition in Canada and many European countries. Governments in countries hosting the upcoming tournaments are looking for ways to keep Russians out, while national teams are threatening to refuse to take the ice against the Russian team.

The world championship will be held in Germany in May. The German government has publicly opposed Russian participation, calling it “virtually impossible, for both sporting and economic reasons.” Authorities have not ruled out that Germany could even withdraw from hosting the tournament altogether.

Alternative for Germany and The Left are opposition parties in the German parliament. Together, they hold 214 of the 630 seats.

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Germany’s AfD and Left Party call for Russia to be allowed to compete in Ice Hockey World Championship despite government opposition

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Germany’s AfD and Left Party call for Russia to be allowed to compete in Ice Hockey World Championship despite government opposition

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