Canada Curler Denies Cheating Claims After Heated Match

A curling match between Canada and Sweden got heated with cheating claims. Canada's Marc Kennedy denied the accusations. An official was present but did not confirm any rule-breaking.
By Newsroom | Sports, Winter Olympics |

During a recent Winter Olympics curling match, a significant dispute unfolded between the Canadian and Swedish teams, leading to accusations of rule-breaking and a public exchange of profanity. The incident occurred during a round-robin game where Canada's men's curling team secured an 8-6 victory over Sweden.

Background of the Dispute

The controversy centers on a specific rule in curling known as a "double-touch violation." This occurs when a player makes contact with a moving stone after it has been released and has crossed the "hog line." Such an infraction can lead to the stone being removed from play.

  • Key Players Involved: The primary individuals at the center of the exchange were Oskar Eriksson from Sweden and Marc Kennedy from Canada.

  • Allegations: Eriksson reportedly accused Kennedy of committing a double-touch violation, suggesting Kennedy was touching the stone itself rather than just the handle equipped with a sensor.

  • Technology in Question: Curling stones are fitted with sensors that trigger red lights if the stone is illegally touched after the hog line. Eriksson's concern appeared to be that Kennedy's actions might have evaded detection by these sensors.

  • Response and Escalation: Kennedy vehemently denied the accusations, responding with strong profanity. The exchange reportedly escalated to the point where Kennedy told Eriksson to "F* off" and "where to stick it."

Evidence and Accounts

Accounts from multiple sources detail the exchange and the differing perspectives.

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  • Eriksson's Claims: Eriksson is cited as repeatedly accusing Kennedy of cheating and stating he would show video evidence of the alleged infraction after the game. He expressed belief that Kennedy was touching the stone directly.

  • Kennedy's Defense: Kennedy denied the allegations, suggesting the Swedish team "misread the rules." He stated he would never accuse someone of cheating and indicated that a hog line official was present for several ends without noting any violations. He also noted that Eriksson had not shown him the video evidence he claimed to possess.

  • Official Intervention: A hog line official was reportedly brought onto the ice for several ends of the match to monitor for potential violations. However, this official did not confirm any wrongdoing on Kennedy's part.

Conflicting Viewpoints on the Violation

The core of the dispute lies in the interpretation of the rules and the execution of the play.

Swedish Perspective: Suspicion of Illegitimacy

The Swedish team's stance suggests a belief that Kennedy's actions were intended to circumvent the rules.

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Winter Olympics curling match rocked by cheating allegations as Canada star tells his Swedish rival to 'F*** OFF' in heated argument - 1

  • Belief in Sensor Evasion: Eriksson's argument appears to be that Kennedy's technique involved touching the stone in a way that would not activate the red light system, thereby gaining an unfair advantage.

  • Demand for Proof: The assertion that Kennedy would "show you a video" implies a belief that visual evidence exists to support the claim of a double touch.

Canadian Perspective: Denial and Rule Misinterpretation

The Canadian team, specifically Kennedy, maintains that no violation occurred and suggests a misunderstanding by the Swedish side.

  • Assertion of Innocence: Kennedy's direct denial and use of profanity in response indicate a strong rejection of the cheating accusation.

  • Claims of Official Observation: The presence of the hog line official, who reportedly did not identify any infractions, serves as a point of defense for the Canadian team.

  • Accusation of Rule Misunderstanding: Kennedy's statement that the Swedish team "misread the rules" suggests their accusations stem from a faulty understanding of the game's regulations.

Expert Analysis and Official Rulings

Information gathered from officials and reports indicates no definitive ruling against the Canadian team during the match.

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"The judge, however, told Eriksson he could not tell for certain whether Kennedy had done anything wrong." - New York Times

"He pulled a hog line official on us to make sure we weren’t double-touching. … The hog line official was there for six ends, never said a thing, and he’s still talking about it in the ninth end." - Marc Kennedy, Canada

These statements suggest that while suspicions were raised, concrete evidence or official confirmation of a violation was not established during the game itself.

Conclusion and Implications

The curling match between Canada and Sweden was marked by a significant disagreement over an alleged rule violation. While Sweden's Oskar Eriksson voiced strong accusations of a double-touch, Canada's Marc Kennedy vehemently denied these claims, suggesting a misinterpretation of the rules by the Swedish team.

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  • Match Outcome: Canada ultimately won the match 8-6, improving their round-robin standing to 3-0.

  • Absence of Official Penalty: Reports indicate that no official penalty was assessed against Kennedy during the game, and a hog line official present did not confirm the alleged infraction.

  • Lingering Tension: The heated exchange and public nature of the allegations have created a notable point of controversy surrounding the Olympic curling event. The availability of video evidence remains a point of contention, with Kennedy stating he had not seen the video Eriksson claimed to possess.

The incident highlights the intense pressure and scrutiny present in high-stakes Olympic competition, where even minor technical infractions can lead to significant disputes.

Sources Used

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What was the argument about?
Sweden accused Canada's Marc Kennedy of breaking a curling rule called a 'double-touch' violation. This means touching a moving stone after it is thrown.
Q: Did Canada break the rule?
Marc Kennedy strongly denied the claim. An official watched the game but could not say for sure if a rule was broken.
Q: Who won the game?
Canada won the match against Sweden with a score of 8-6.
Q: What happened after the accusation?
Kennedy responded with strong words and denied the cheating claim, saying Sweden might have misunderstood the rules.