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The French hockey player who clashed with Canadian star Tom Wilson in their Winter Olympics qualifying match was suspended for the remainder of the Games on Monday.
Pierre Crinon will not play against Germany on Tuesday after the French hockey federation determined that the defender’s actions went against its values. Additionally, Crinon will not be able to play if France advances past the qualifying round.
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France’s Pierre Crinon (7) battles Canada’s Tom Wilson (43) in the third period during a men’s ice hockey preliminary match between Canada and France at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, February 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
“The provocative behavior of Pierre Crinon when he left the ice, when he had just been excluded from the match for fighting, constitutes a flagrant violation of the Olympic spirit and also undermines the values of our sport,” declared the French Ice Hockey Federation (FFHG), via Reuters.
“The decision was therefore taken, in full agreement with the French National Olympic and Sports Committee, not to authorize his participation in the next match(es) of the Olympic tournament.”
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Tom Wilson (43) of Canada and Pierre Crinon, center, of France, battle in the third period during a men’s ice hockey preliminary match between Canada and France at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, February 15, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
The two men fought with about seven minutes remaining in the match, which Canada won 10-2. Both players were ejected from the game because Olympic rules do not provide for five-minute major penalties for fighting. Wilson appeared to be seeking revenge on teammate Nathan MacKinnon who had been hit hard earlier in the game.
Crinon hit MacKinnon in the jaw and was given a two-minute penalty.
France is currently without a point in its first Olympic matches.
Pierre Crinon (7) of France and Tom Wilson (43) of Canada battle in the third period during a men’s ice hockey preliminary match between Canada and France at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, February 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
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Canada is scheduled to play Wednesday in the quarterfinals against the Czech Republic or Denmark.
