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World Curling has addressed the cheating allegations that rocked Friday night’s round-robin match between Canada and Sweden, concluding that “no violations were recorded” during umpire observations that followed the allegations.
Tensions erupted 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.
Sweden’s Rasmus Wranaa (L) reacts alongside Canada’s Ben Hebert during the men’s curling round-robin between Canada and Sweden at the 2026 Winter Olympics at the Cortina Olympic Curling Stadium. 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.”
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Kennedy then responded: “Who’s doing it? I haven’t done it once, you can fuck off.”
The two continued to exchange words, but it was Kennedy who used profanity to express his displeasure over the accusations.
“Come on, Oskar, fuck off.”
World Curling issued a statement Saturday addressing the controversy, both the allegations and Kennedy’s sportsmanship.
Brad Jacobs and Marc Kennedy of Canada in action during the men’s curling round-robin session 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 officials are positioned at the bottom of each sheet and cannot physically see each handoff violation. However, when informed of handoff problems, the game officials are positioned to observe the handoff for three ends. During this observation period in Friday night’s game, no violations were recorded,” the statement began, noting that video replay is not used during games and that a referee’s decision is final.
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The sports governing body also addressed two concerns about the rules, including “double tap” and touching granite. According to the rules, players can touch the handle multiple times, but “touching the handle after the pig line is not allowed and will result in the stone being removed from the game.”
Additionally, the stone will be removed from the game if it touches the granite during the “forward movement”.
As a result of the allegations, World Curling said two officials will be in place to observe all deliveries beginning with Saturday’s games.
Canada’s Ben Hebert, Canada’s Brad Jacobs and Canada’s Brett Gallant compete in the men’s curling round robin between Canada and Sweden during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at the Cortina Olympic Curling Stadium in Cortina d’Ampezzo on February 13, 2026. (Tiziana FABI/AFP)
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Canada also received a verbal warning from World Curling for Kennedy’s language during the game.
“During that meeting it was made clear to those officials that further inappropriate behavior, determined by rule R.19, would result in additional sanctions,” the statement read. Under the rule, Kennedy could face suspension if he commits another infraction.
