Russia negotiating with NHL to allow convicted criminal to play in World Cup.

The National Hockey League's commissioner Gary Bettman made a bold proclamation on Monday, letting the world know that convicted spousal abuser Slava Voynov would effectively be banned from competing in the World Cup of Hockey by the NHL.

However despite the hard stance that Bettman took publicly yesterday during a press conference, it now appears that the NHL has started negotiating with Russia regarding the eligibility of Voynov. No details of what possibile negotiations could be taking place have been disclosed at this time.

From Russia media outlet Tass Sport:

"The Russian Ice Hockey Federation is holding negotiations with the organizers of the World Cup - the NHL - concerning the issue of national team’s defender Vyacheslav Voynov," the RHF’s press service told TASS on Tuesday adding that besides the Russian and US sides the negotiations also involve Rene Fasel, the president of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF).

"The Russian Ice Hockey Federation hopes that the organizers of the international competition will make a positive decision on the issue and the defender will be allowed to be included in the roster of the Russian national team," the RHF added.

Information is still very limited at this time, but we will continue to monitor this story.

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