Hockey world championship main sponsor Skoda to 'reassess' backing if Russia plays

The main sponsor of the men's ice hockey world championship, automaker Skoda, says it will "reassess" its backing for the tournament if Russia takes part.

The stance of Skoda, which has been the main sponsor for more than 30 years, puts more pressure on the International Ice Hockey Federation.

A Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling last week obliged the IIHF to lift its exclusion of Russian national teams, which had been in place since 2022 over the war in Ukraine.

Almost half of the 16 nations in the men's championship in Germany next May are refusing to play Russia. The Canadian government also says it will not allow Russia to compete at the world junior championship there starting next month.

"We do not support the Court of Arbitration for Sport's decision regarding the participation of Russian national teams in IIHF competitions. With Russia's aggression continuing, we believe the Russian national team's return to the world championship is incompatible with the values we have consistently upheld," the Czech Republic-based automaker, which is part of Germany's Volkswagen Group, said in an e-mailed statement Wednesday.

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"If the Russian national team takes part in the tournament, we will reassess our involvement in the tournament and take further action. We are actively monitoring the situation, remain in close contact with our partners and are confident that a constructive solution can be found."

Other sponsors have been critical of Russia's return. Nokian Tyres said it would end its backing if Russia takes part and furniture maker AJ Products, a tournament sponsor