Sweden's Samuelsson ousted from Olympics

AP PHOTO Former Swedish defender Ulf Samuelsson looks on as Sweden's Mattias Ohlund hits Eduard Zankovets of Belarus. Looking on is just about all Samuelsson will do for the next two weeks - The New York Ranger was kicked out of the Olympics because of a nationality conflict.

The federation ruled after learning that Samuelsson, who plays for the NHL's New York Rangers, has valid passports from both the United States and Sweden, spokesperson Paolo Ianieri said. Under Swedish law, that means he is not a Swedish citizen.

The federation's ruling allowing Sweden to keep its tournament points means there will be no reordering of the quarterfinal matchups.

If Sweden had been required to forfeit its two victories, it would have dropped from second place to fourth in its pool and would have faced unbeaten Russia instead of Finland in the quarterfinals.

The United States would have moved up from third to second, avoiding the Czech Republic and dominating goaltender Dominik Hasek and playing less-formidable Finland instead. Samuelsson is one of Sweden's most physical players.

His ''only statement is that he has two passports,'' the Swedish news agency TT quoted Swedish hockey team spokesperson Leif Emsjo as saying before the federation's decision was announced.

''He has no idea that he has changed nationality.''

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