Russian chess player Sergey Karjakin, remembered for playing for the world champion title in 2016, was suspended by the Ethics and Disciplinary Commission of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) for his many comments in support of Vladimir Putin and his support for the invasion of Ukraine, which began on February 24 by order of the Russian president.
The man will not be able to play the Candidates tournament in Madrid, to which he was already qualified.
Support for President Putin
Sergey Karjakin has been at the center of criticism for his support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The chess player, a native of Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula illegally annexed in 2014 by Russia, published an open letter in which he expressed his support for the so-called Russian “special military operation” in Ukraine.
“I express to you, our Commander-in-Chief (Vladimir Putin), my full support in protecting Russia’s interests by eliminating threats to peace.”, Karjakin wrote in the letter posted on his Instagram account.
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The man has repeatedly supported Russian attacks and President Vladimir Putin’s policy “for the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine.”
“The slogan ‘No to War’ is now written by people who, cynically, have not noticed in eight years of the war against the Russians in Donbass, of the mass murders in kyiv, Mariupol and other cities”, he wrote on Twitter after the invasion began.
The sanction of the Federation
After his declarations of support for Russia, The Ethics and Disciplinary Commission of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) opened an investigation against him.
Karjakin was found guilty of violating article 2.2.10 of the Code of Ethics and was banned for six months from participating as a player in any FIDE competition, effective March 21.
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The sanction resolution emphasizes that Karjakin’s comments on the Russia-Ukraine affair have been in the public domain and damage the reputation of chess and the Federation.
FIDE stated that “disciplinary measures will be taken in case of occurrences that make chess, FIDE or its federations appear in an unfavorable position and damage their reputation.”
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The player’s response
Although Karjakin, who disputed the world title against the Norwegian Magnus Carlsen in 2016 and only lost in the tiebreaker, has the right to file an appeal before the Appeals Chamber of the Ethics and Disciplinary Commission within 21 days, the man pointed out this Monday to the official TASS agency that he sees no point in appealing the sanction.
“There is no point in filing an appeal, all the courts will side with Europe. And FIDE is an international sports organization and does the same as everyone else.”, he declared.
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If Karjakin does not appeal, the sanction will be firm and definitive.
The chess player also stated that he does not regret his comments and that he will always put support for his country before a competition.
“I was aware that there was a danger, but I consider myself first and foremost a citizen and a patriot of my country, and I say this with humility.”.
I was aware that there was a danger, but I consider that I am above all a citizen and a patriot of my country
“I don’t regret what happened one iota,” the man said, adding: “If I had to choose between supporting my country and participating in the Candidates Tournament (in Madrid), I would always choose the former.”
The sanction was also condemned by the Kremlin, which stated that the measure should be reconsidered. and that the International Chess Federation should stay away from politics.
“We sorry. We urge FIDE to reconsider this decision and to stay out of politics, thus confirming the international prestige of this chess organization,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov.
Peskov defended that, when there is a military intervention, “any citizen of the Russian Federation has and should have the right to express his position.”
According to the Kremlin spokesman, “no one can deprive a Russian citizen of such a right.”
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“In no way should this provoke a political reaction from FIDE. We are sorry,” he stressed.The Russian Chess Federation also stated in a statement its intention to appeal the measure that it considers discrimination.
*With information from EFE and AFP
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