FIDE Bans Sergey Karjakin Again, Possibly
Today, the Appeal Chamber of the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission (EDC) has announced its decision to dismiss the appeal presented by GM Sergey Karjakin, and confirmed the 6-month ban that was imposed by the EDC.
On February 27, 2022, the FIDE Council decided to bring the case of GM Sergey Karjakin to the Ethics and Disciplinary Commission for his public statements on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. On March 21st, 2022, the player was found guilty by the EDC of breach of article 2.2.10 and was banned for 6 months from participating as a player in any FIDE-rated chess competition.
The consequences for the Russian GM were severe after this decision, as he would miss the Candidates Tournament, the key event of the World Chess Championship cycle, and the chance to take part in the title match. This is why in an interview with Tass, a Russian news agency, Karjakin said that the appeal is the only thing on his mind at the moment.
Today, May 6th, 2022, the Appeal Chamber of the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission (EDC) has announced its decision to dismiss the appeal presented by GM Sergey Karjakin, which shall remain in effect while under appeal unless the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) directs otherwise.
Karjakin expected this decision and is likely to go to CAS, having complied with the due process (he could not go directly to CAS without trying to appeal the FIDE decision first). Karjakin will likely demand an emergency session in CAS given that the Candidates takes place in June, and likely to have his day in court. He will also likely use the unfortunate statements by FIDE official Emil Sutovsky, who was duped in talking to Russian pranksters posing as Ukrainian officials.
