Canada and Sweden Curling Teams Clash Over Cheating Accusation
In a tense men’s curling match on Friday, the Canadian team faced accusations of cheating from their Swedish counterparts. The contest ended with a score of 8-6 in favor of Canada, but not without controversy.
Cheating Allegations Spark Heated Exchange
Sweden’s team claimed that Canadian player Marc Kennedy illegally touched his stone, delivering an extra push with his finger after releasing it. In curling, players must let go of their stone before it crosses the “hog line,” indicated by a distinct green line on the ice. If a player fails to do so, a sensor signals the infraction.
Close-up footage seemed to confirm Sweden’s allegations, showing Kennedy using his finger to push the stone as it neared the hog line. Following the complaint, officials stationed themselves at the hog line to watch for further infractions, although they could not review prior plays.
Confrontation on the Ice
The situation escalated, leading to a verbal exchange between players. Kennedy expressed his frustration, stating, “I don’t like being accused of cheating after 25 years on tour and four Olympic Games.” He added that he felt the Swedish player was upset at their impending loss.
- Marc Kennedy: Canadian player accused of cheating
- Oskar Eriksson: Swedish player defending the accusations
- Final Score: Canada 8, Sweden 6
- Sweden’s record: 0-3 in round-robin play
In response to the situation, World Curling officials stated there were no violations during their monitoring period. Despite the tensions, they issued a verbal warning to Kennedy regarding his language during the match.
Future Implications
With this loss, Sweden’s chances of progressing in the tournament are fraught. As they sit at 0-3, they face significant challenges to reach the knockout stage and potentially seek a rematch against Canada.
This incident underscores the high stakes and intense emotions inherent in competitive curling, particularly at an international level.
