Putin sent crashing to the ice during hockey match

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Russian president Vladimir Putin played a game of ice hockey on Wednesday
Putin, 64, denied his government was involved in the sacking of James Comey
The FBI had been investigating Russian links to President Trump's administration
Putin's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with Trump at the White House today

Published: 13:33 EDT, 10 May 2017 | Updated: 15:09 EDT, 10 May 2017

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Russian president Vladimir Putin teamed up last night with his defence chief Sergey Shoigu and three Olympian champions for a game of Ice Hockey at Sochi’s Bolshoy Ice Dome.

The Russian leader, 64, was wearing a red jersey with the number 11 during the game.

According to Tass, Putin was playing against the owner of the Volga Group, Gennady Timchenko, plus several other business leaders.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ended up on the ice following a game of hockey yesterday

The 64-year-old former KGB officer was playing in a Wednesday night ice hockey league

Putin's team boasted several Olympic champions as well as defence chief Sergey Shoigu

Putin created the night hockey league in May 2012 to boost the revenue of ice hockey stadiums which would otherwise be empty.

The games normally involve amateur teams of people who enjoy playing ice hockey.

However, photographs of the event show that the Russian president hit the ice during the encounter, which was billed as a friendly game.

Before taking to the ice last night, Putin denied he had anything to do with the sacking of former FBI director James Comey when questioned by US media.

Putin, pictured, denied his government were involved in the sacking of FBI director James Comey who was fired by President Donald Trump amid dramatic scenes yesterday

Putin, pictured, is a well known ice hockey fan and established the late night league

Despite his hard man reputation, Putin was seen hit the ice several times during the game

When asked about Comey's sacking Putin told CBS News: 'We have nothing to do with that'

Comey, who was investigating links between Russia and members of the Trump administration was fired by the businessman last night on the recommendation of his Attorney General Jeff Sessions and his deputy.

Speaking to CBS News, Putin said: 'There will be no effect. Your question looks very funny for me. Don't be angry with me. We have nothing to do with that.

'President Trump is acting in accordance with his competence, in accordance with his law and Constitution. What about us? Why we?'

President Trump met today with the Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov in the Oval Office.

It is rare for a president to meet with a minister of a foreign power at the Oval Office. Normally that honour is reserved for heads of government.

Putin was nursing what appeared to be a bruise following one encounter on the ice

Putin, sitting beside former NHL player Slava Fetisov, right, revels in his hard man image

Putin spoke during the game with billionaire businessman Gennady Timchenko, left

After the meeting, Lavrov described the encounter as positive. He said: 'President Trump clearly confirmed his interest in building mutually beneficial, business-like pragmatic relations.'

"The goal of both President Trump and President (Vladimir) Putin is to have concrete results which will be tangible and which will allow (us) to alleviate problems, including on the international agenda."

Lavrov's visit to the Oval Office was a rare welcome for a foreign minister - or any non-head of state representing a foreign country.

The Russian foreign minister rejected claims that Moscow interfered in the election that sent Trump to the White House as "fabrications."