Five Federations Appeal to CAS Over FIDE Vote Restoring Russian Team Access

Overview

• National federations of Ukraine, England, Estonia, Germany and Norway filed a CAS appeal challenging FIDE’s December decision to lift sanctions on Russian teams.
• The appellants allege serious procedural violations in the General Assembly process and seek an independent legal review of how the votes were taken.
• RIA reports the assembly backed two conflicting resolutions on Russian and Belarusian participation, after which President Arkady Dvorkovich said the FIDE Council would consult the IOC before a final implementation.
• The appeal argues FIDE failed to account for IOC recommendations that restrict national teams and the use of Russian and Belarusian flags, anthems and symbols, especially for adult competitions.
• Dvorkovich maintains the votes are legal, while Russian figures Andrey Filatov calls the appeal politically driven and Svetlana Zhurova says FIDE could revise wording to satisfy legal formalities if CAS so rules.