From Hockeybuzz.com (Bill Meltzer):
Per the International Ice Hockey Federation’s official site, IIHF President René Fasel has informed the Continental Hockey League that Salavat Yulaev’s signing of Alexander Radulov is ablatant violation of the verbal agreement that was made in May and reiterated yesterday with a plan to formalize it in writing.
The IIHF has asked the KHL to void the contract. In the KHL does not comply, the IIHF has said it will disqualify Radulov from playing in all IIHF-sanctioned events, including the new the Champions Hockey League, the IIHF World Championships and the 2010 Winter Olympics.
In addition, the IIHF may take punitive action against the Salavat Yulayev club, which as the 2007-08 Russian champion is scheduled to participate in the Champions Hockey League.
At a press conference in Moscow earlier today, KHL president Alexander Medvedev spoke in conciliatory tones toward the NHL and insisted the league wants peace with the NHL. However, he then went on to say that from the KHL’s perspective, the Radulov signing was made before there was an actionable agreement — Medvedev says it will be enforced as of Monday if not sooner.
Apparently, that stance is not acceptable to the IIHF — nor should it be.
Habster:
Give IIHF President René Fasel credit for acting swiftly and implementing sanctions against the KHL and Radulov.
Let’s hope Alexander Radulov, KHL and its president Alexander Medvedev come to their senses and do the right thing which would be to void the contract and have Radulov honor the last year of his contract……..it’s called showing good will and would be the honorable thing to do!!!
