The International ice hockey league will retain Russia as WORLD cup host in 2023, even if the country is excluded.

The International ice hockey league (IIHF) will work to ensure that Russia can continue to be the host of the biathlon WORLD cup in 2023.

It says the IIHF-president Rene Fasel on Thursday, according to news agency Reuters.

The International anti-doping agency (Wada) chose Monday to exclude Russia from participating in or arranging large, international events in four years.

Exclusion due to Russia from a laboratory in Moscow has tampered with dopingdata, which was sent to the Wada.

when Asked whether Russia can still be the host for the ice hockey WORLD cup in 2023 is equivalent Fasel:

- Nothing is certain yet, but we will work for it and do everything possible to protect our interests and our alliance.

Fasel adds that connected awaiting a decision from The International court of arbitration for sport (CAS) on Russia's punishment.

The Russian anti-doping agency (Rusada) has until 19. december to appeal against the judgment of Wada.

We really hope that it will not be a political debate, but that it will be a fair and legal decision that will be taken, says Fasel.

Wada has said that the alliance, who have joined the Wadas anti-doping code, as the IIHF has allowed to move events from Russia for the next four years to another country "unless it is illegal or practically impossible to do it".

/ritzau/Reuters/