Samuelsson’s Ban and Results Upheld

The International Ice Hockey Federation’s ban of Swedish defenseman Ulf Samuelsson and its decision not to punish the Swedish team for using an ineligible player were upheld Tuesday by the Court for the Arbitration of Sport, leaving intact Sweden’s seeding and the quarterfinal pairings for the men’s hockey tournament.

The court denied an appeal by the Czech Republic of the federation’s decision not to strip Sweden of its two round-robin victories. It also denied Sweden’s appeal of the expulsion of Samuelsson, whose acquisition of an American passport invalidated his Swedish citizenship and makes him ineligible for the Games.

Swedish officials became aware of Samuelsson’s passport problem when a Swedish journalist inquired about his status. The Swedish Ice Hockey Federation then reported the problem to the IIHF.

Samuelsson, renowned as a tough and borderline dirty player, broke down in tears at a news conference after his expulsion was upheld.

“The only good thing that happened [Tuesday] was that the team got to keep its points. I’ve played three games for Sweden here,” he said. “Now, as the fun begins, I’m going home. . . .

“I should have been better informed or somebody should have informed me. I did not want to give up my Swedish citizenship.”

Had Sweden been forced to forfeit its victories, the United States would have faced Finland in the quarterfinals instead of Dominik Hasek and the Czech Republic. Russia would have had to face Sweden and the Czechs would have faced Belarus.