Why Leaving the Ice Early Cost Kyiv Capitals at CAS – Field of Play Doctrine Prevails

A recently published Arbitral Award by the Court of Arbitration for Sport confirmed a decision of the Disciplinary Committee of the Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine against Hockey Club Kyiv Capitals (Kyiv Capitals). The appeal to the CAS had been brought by Kyiv Capitals in connection with a match during the 2023/2024 Ukrainian Men’s Ice Hockey Championship season.

This article examines the award which serves as a crucial reminder for clubs, athletes, and sports administrators about the consequences of abandoning matches in protest at refereeing decisions. The ruling has broader implications for all sports organizations in understanding when regulatory sanctions for match abandonment will be upheld by sports tribunals.

The full award is available here: CAS 2024/A/10449 Hockey Club Kyiv Capitals v. Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine^[1]

Article Outline

• Factual background
• Procedural background
• Arguments advanced before the CAS
  • Kyiv Capitals’ arguments
  • The Federation’s arguments
• What is the field of play doctrine?
• The decision
• Impact of the ruling