Monday, June 28, 2010

Loss of Eligibility

Plushenko's grand designs on competing again in Sochi may be dashed.

During the ISU June Congress, the ISU yanked his eligibility:

Decision of the ISU Council on Eligibility of Mr. Evgeny Plushenko (RUS)
Based on evidence presented the Council has concluded that Mr. Evgeny Plushenko breached the ISU eligibility rule 102, paragraph 2, i) of the ISU General Regulations and as a consequence has become ineligible under paragraph 7 a) of that rule. The evidence has proved to the satisfaction of the Council that Mr. E. Plushenko, a skater and member of the Figure Skating Federation of Russia (FSFR), skated in exhibitions held in March and April 2010, in Russia and other countries, without the express prior authorization of the FSFR. Such activity is a breach of the ISU eligibility rules and results in the loss of eligibility
.

But Plushenko has recourse. He has 21 days to file an appeal if he so chooses with the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne. He must do this and win the appeal if he hopes to compete at an ISU event in the future. A similar situation occurred last season when Joannie Rochette performed on the show "Thin Ice," however, she obtained an exemption allowing her to keep her eligible status, Plushenko did not.

UPDATE: FSFR has released an official statement.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

WHY WOULD THEY DO THAT??!!! NOOOO, THEY WOULD ONLY LOSE ONE OF THEIR VALUABLE HEROES OF RUSSIA.

Laura said...

It's his own fault, I suppose.
I was never a fan of Plushenko - far to arrogant for me - and maybe it's time he retired anyway. Let the younger guys have a chance.

PumaJ said...

Plushy has been doing these shows for years. I have to wonder what the motivation behind disqualifying him really is.

Never forget that figure skating is a very political sport.

Anonymous said...

WHY???? BERCAUSE HE TAKES OTHER SKATERS PLACE, ON PODIUMS AND IN THE RUSSIAN TEAM, PLUSHENKO IN COMPETITIONS MEANS LESS MEDALS FOR OTHER FS FEDERATIONS AND LESS CHANCES FOR OTHER RUSSIAN SKATERS!
FS IS A POLITICAL SPORT!
GRACE,THANKS FOR SHOWING US ONCE AGAIN HOW STUPID SOME PEOPLE CAN BE!

Binky and the Misfit Mimes said...

So what does this mean for the other skaters who performed in Kings on Ice in March and April, specifically Johnny Weir? Does the ISU think he breached the rules as well? Or did Johnny have prior approval from the USFSA to skate in KOI?

DW said...

Psssssst.... Hey, "Anonymous", your caps lock is on.

Anonymous said...

They are trying to stop him in any way possible, right?

So much heavy artillery against a man, is it not too obvious... :-(

Anonymous said...

Also, Brian Joubert skated in KOI. Is he going to be ineligible too?

Maybe Johnny didn't care because he is going to retire.....I hope not, but I wouldn't blame him!

I'm Stranger than Fiction said...

http://www.universalsports.com/blogs/blog=gofigure/postid=480309.html

"While Lysacek danced on TV and never intended to skate in his sport's world championships, Plushenko was entered as a participant, but days before the start withdrew because of injury. His agent told the press doctors advised Plushenko to rest for two weeks due to pain experienced while practicing quad toes.

The problem: apparently Plushenko skated in shows even though his reason for withdrawing was the prescribed "two weeks rest."
"

He withdrew from an ISU competition due to an injury and needing rest, then skated in shows, apparently including during the time he was meant to be resting.

It's not the ISU being "out to stop/get" Evgeni, they're not being unfair, he needed, and apparently didn't get, prior approval for the shows.