International Ice Hockey Federation signals it could allow Israel to play upcoming events

The International Ice Hockey Federation said Friday that it could allow Israel to play in some upcoming world championship tournaments after earlier indicating that Israeli teams would be barred over concerns about security at the events. The IIHF said Wednesday that “Israel will not participate in IIHF Competitions for the time being,” but in a further statement Friday clarified that this decision so far only applies to a men's under-20 tournament in Bulgaria starting Jan. 22. No decision has yet been taken concerning the women's and men's world championship tournaments that Israel is due to play in March and April respectively, the IIHF added.