Despite Russia impasse, Germany still hoping to host Men's Ice Hockey World Championship

A week after a court ruled that Russia must be allowed to return to international ice hockey, the way forward remains unclear. Berlin is seeking a solution that will allow Germany to host next year's Word Championship.

A German government spokesman has said that despite talks with the German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB), the International Ice Hockey Federation (DEB) and others, the impasse caused by last week's Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling remains. Since last Friday's decision, several leading ice hockey nations, including Finland , Sweden and Czechia have said they would refrain from playing against Russia in any tournament in which it is allowed to take part.

Several key sponsors have also threatened to pull out, should the Russians be allowed to play. The first tournament to be affected would be the Men's World Juniors, which opens in Canada late next month, followed by the IIHF's premier event, the Men's World Championship, to be hosted by Germany in May.