We published full information on the assembly here. Specifically FIDE stated that:
The FIDE Council resolution referenced the recent Olympic Summit decision, based on the IOC EB recommendation, noting that “youth athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport should no longer be restricted in their access to international youth competitions, in both individual and team sports… The above principles are recommended for adoption by all IFs and International Sports Event Organisers for their own youth events.” (see: Olympic Summit reaffirms athletes’ fundamental rights to access sport without political interference).
Further:
To respect the legal validity of both votes, the FIDE Council considers the Council resolution to be in force immediately as the baseline for operations. This means that:
- Teams from Russia and Belarus are admitted to official FIDE tournaments.
- Full use of national symbols is allowed in youth and junior competitions, in line with IOC recommendations.
- Restrictions on holding official FIDE events in Belarus are lifted, in line with recent guidance from the Olympic Summit on access to sport and political neutrality.
This is what the IOC specifically advises in the press release cited above:
The Summit supported the IOC EB’s recommendation that youth athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport should no longer be restricted in their access to international youth competitions, in both individual and team sports...
In parallel, the IOC’s Recommended Conditions of Participation for International Federations and International Sports Event Organisers of 28 March 2023 should remain in place for senior competitions, and will be reviewed as necessary.
Existing sanctions against the Russian and Belarusian governments should also remain in place. In particular, the restriction on accreditations or invitations to international sports events or meetings for government officials from Russia and Belarus should remain in place for both senior and youth events.
IFs should continue to refrain from organising or supporting international sports events in Russia. This recommendation no longer applies to Belarus.
There were multiple abuses of process, not least, conducting the vote on Russian teams in secret was unconstitutional and in contravention of the FIDE Charter. The FIDE President, Arkady Dvorkovich, a former Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, who chaired the meeting, effectively acted as a tool of the Russian state. Mr Dvorkovich refused to allow a debate or a vote on the motion proposed by the ECF.
Neither motion in favour of restoring Russian teams to FIDE competitions received a majority of the 141 delegates registered to vote at the meeting. The two motions voted on were contradictory. Both motions contradicted IOC policy as reiterated by the IOC as recently as last Thursday at the link below.
FIDE stands with only five other sports federations out of 108 in easing sanctions on Russian teams.
The ECF will not host FIDE events with Russian teams until the IOC changes its policy. As per IOC recommendations, Russian players will continue not to be allowed to compete under the Russian flag at ECF events.
Dominic Lawson
President of the English Chess Federation
Malcolm Pein
Director of International Chess and External Relations.
The English Chess Federation (ECF) is the governing chess organisation in England and is affiliated to FIDE (the Fédération Internationale des Échecs). Its mission is to promote the game of chess, in all its forms, as an attractive means of cultural and personal advancement to the widest possible public. In addition, the ECF exists to develop chess by creating the means to enable the highest forms of chess excellence to be achieved, and to expand the game as a social and sporting activity.
For more information contact:
Leon Watson
English Chess Federation
leon.watson@englishchess.org.uk
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