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The French hockey player who fought Canadian star Tom Wilson during their qualifying round matchup at the Winter Olympics was suspended for the remainder of the Games on Monday.
Pierre Crinon will not play on Tuesday against Germany because the French hockey federation determined that the defenseman’s actions went against its values. In addition, Crinon will not be able to play if France passes 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 round game between Canada and France at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
“Pierre Crinon’s provocative behavior in leaving the ice, despite having been excluded from the match for a fight, constitutes a clear violation of the Olympic spirit and also undermines the values of our sport,” the French Ice Hockey Federation (FFHG) said, via Reuters.
“Therefore, the decision was made, in full coordination with the French National Olympic and Sports Committee, not to allow their participation in the next match or matches of the Olympic tournament.”
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Canada’s Tom Wilson (43) and France’s Pierre Crinon, center, fight in the third period during a men’s ice hockey preliminary round game between Canada and France at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
The two men fought with about seven minutes left to play in the game that Canada won 10-2. Both players were ejected from the game as Olympic rules do not provide for penalties longer than five minutes for fighting. Wilson appeared to seek revenge for the hard hit his teammate Nathan MacKinnon took early in the game.
Crinon hit MacKinnon in the jaw and received a two-minute penalty.
France is currently without points in its first matches at the Olympic Games.
France’s Pierre Crinon (7) and Canada’s Tom Wilson (43) fight in the third period during a men’s ice hockey preliminary round game between Canada and France at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
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Canada will play Wednesday in the quarterfinals against the Czech Republic or Denmark.
