Two of three CAS arbitrators who cleared Russian hockey had spoken in Moscow

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling that on 30 October allowed Russia's national hockey teams to return to International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) events is facing fresh questions. Two of the three arbitrators who heard the case had previously spoken at legal events in Moscow, the Latvian news site Delfi reported, following a story first published by the Swiss financial portal Inside Paradeplatz.

A conference a month before the case

Giulio Palermo, the Italian lawyer who chaired the panel, was one of the speakers at the Russian International Arbitration Congress at The Carlton hotel in Moscow on 22 September. CAS appointed him to chair the panel in the Russian Ice Hockey Federation's case against the IIHF on 9 October. Hearings were held on 23 and 26 October, and on 30 October the three arbitrators unanimously upheld Russia's appeal.

It later emerged that a second panel member, Egyptian lawyer Ismail Selim, had also spoken in Moscow. On 16 May 2025 he addressed a seminar at the Four Seasons hotel aimed at Russian lawyers, investors and business people. The third panel member was Mark Hovell of Britain.

What CAS and the arbitrator say

CAS said it had not been informed of Palermo's trip, but that, based on what it knows, he travelled to Moscow at his own expense, the conference was unrelated to the later case, and the trip took place before his appointment. After the appointment, both parties had the chance to challenge his independence, and neither did. Palermo has called the claims about his role unfounded and offensive and said he is considering legal action.

Meanwhile, a Zurich lawyer who once sat on the IIHF Legal Committee has resigned as a CAS arbitrator. Media reports link his decision directly to concerns about Palermo's impartiality. CAS confirmed the resignation but said it had received no other complaints.

Why it matters for Latvia

The CAS ruling also covers the 2027 world championship in Germany. Latvia, along with Finland, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Denmark and Norway, has said it will not play Russian teams under current circumstances, and major tournament sponsors have threatened to pull out. The IIHF has yet to make a final decision on Russia's return.

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