NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
World Curling has responded to the cheating allegations that rocked Friday night’s match between Canada and Sweden, concluding that “no violation was recorded” during referee observations that followed the allegations.
Tensions flared when Swede Oskar Eriksson accused Canadian Marc Kennedy of touching the stone twice. Videos shared online appeared to show Kennedy touching the stone with an outstretched finger after releasing the handle.
Rasmus Wranaa (L) of Sweden reacts next to Ben Hebert of Canada during the men’s curling tournament between Canada and Sweden at the 2026 Winter Olympics at the Olympic Curling Stadium in Cortina. Cortina d’Ampezzo on February 13, 2026. (Tiziana FABI / AFP)
The two opponents exchanged words when Eriksson said: “Maybe it’s okay to touch the rock after the pig line, I don’t know.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
Kennedy then replied: “Who does that? I haven’t done it once, you can go away.”
The two men continued to exchange words, but it was Kennedy who used profanity to express his displeasure with the accusations.
“Come on Oskar, fuck off.”
World Curling released a statement Saturday addressing the controversy – both the accusations and Kennedy’s sportsmanship.
Brad Jacobs and Marc Kennedy of Canada in action during the men’s curling preliminary round against Sweden at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The event took place in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy on February 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)
“The game umpires are located at the end of each lane and cannot physically see each delivery infraction. However, when notified of delivery issues, the game umpires are positioned to observe the delivery for three ends. During this observation period during the Friday night game, no infractions were recorded,” the statement begins, noting that video replay is not used during games and the umpire’s call is final.
OLYMPIC CURLING MATCH DESCRIBES IN CHAOS AFTER CHEATING ALLEGATIONS AND PROFANE INSULT
The sport’s governing body also addressed two rules concerns, including “double contact” and contact with granite. According to the rules, players can touch the handle multiple times, but “touching the handle past the hog line is not permitted and will result in the stone being removed from play.”
Additionally, the stone will be removed from play if the granite is hit during “forward movement”.
Following the allegations, World Curling said two officials will be placed to observe all deliveries starting in Saturday’s matches.
Ben Hebert of Canada, Brad Jacobs of Canada and Brett Gallant of Canada compete in the men’s curling round robin between Canada and Sweden during the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at the Cortina Olympic Curling Stadium in Cortina d’Ampezzo on February 13, 2026. (Tiziana FABI / AFP)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
Canada also received a verbal warning from World Curling for Kennedy’s language during the match.
“During this meeting, it was made clear to these officials that any inappropriate behavior, as determined by Rule R.19, would result in additional sanctions,” the statement said. Under the rule, Kennedy could be suspended if he commits another violation.
