Russian players may continue competing as neutrals pending compliance with CAS ruling.

On Thursday, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) penalized the Russian Chess Federation with a three-year suspension from membership, although its chess players will still be allowed to compete as individuals.

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The FIDE Council adopted this measure after reviewing the extent of compliance with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling issued in March, which rejected Russia’s organization of competitions in the annexed regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson and Crimea.

“After examining the information presented, the Council notes that the requirements established in the CAS award were not met within the prescribed deadline,” said FIDE, whose president is Russian national Arkady Dvorkovich.

The Russian Chess Federation was required to comply with the CAS ruling before June 9. As it failed to provide evidence demonstrating compliance, a temporary suspension of its membership was imposed for a period of three years or until it complies with the mandate of the highest international body responsible for resolving disputes in the field of sports, which is based in Lausanne, Switzerland.

This provisional sanction takes immediate effect. However, the FIDE executive board “reaffirms its commitment to protecting the rights and interests of chess players” and will therefore continue to allow Russian players to participate individually under a neutral flag, in accordance with the recommendation of the International Olympic Committee.

“The FIDE Council remains committed to the principles of good governance, compliance with the decisions of the competent judicial bodies and the protection of the interests of the global chess community,” it added in its statement.

The FIDE executive board’s decision will be put to a vote at the next General Assembly, the organization’s highest decision-making body, which will meet June 26 and 27 in Uzbekistan as part of the federation’s congress.

teleSUR/ JF

Sources: EFE – FIDE

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