Controversy Erupts Over Cheating Allegations in Sweden vs Canada Olympic Curling Match

The recent curling match at the 2026 Winter Olympics between Sweden and Canada ended amidst significant controversy and heated exchanges over cheating accusations. Sweden lost 8-6, but the game was overshadowed by disputes over alleged rule violations by Canadian player Marc Kennedy.

Swedish players claimed that Kennedy and his teammates touched the granite stone after releasing it, breaching the hogline rule which forbids touching stones past a certain point. This accusation sparked a confrontation between Sweden's Oskar Eriksson and Canada's Marc Kennedy, where Kennedy reportedly shouted, "You can fuck off!" during the match. Post-game, Kennedy refused to apologize, defending his actions as a natural part of a heated sports discussion.

Swedish captain Niklas Edin and the team expressed frustration, especially with the referees who they believed failed to enforce the rules adequately. Expert Eva Lund criticized the referees' performances, remarking, "I am ashamed that my sport has such a low level of officiating." This criticism was echoed by Sweden's head coach Fredrik Lindberg, who asserted that curling requires a broader, systemic change in officiating practices, highlighting ongoing issues since 2018.

Despite the controversy, Sweden has chosen not to protest the match result, as they formally signed the match protocol after the game, which forfeited their right to appeal. Eriksson also noted that the head referee appeared unaware of the rule in question and had to be corrected by the players themselves.

The International Curling Federation defended the referees, stating they followed protocols and found no evidence of rule breaches after supervising the match closely. From the Canadian side, Brett Galant emphasized that the referees monitored the players’ actions and found no issues with the stone releases.

Sweden's curling team, enduring their third straight loss at the Games, now prepares to face China next. The incident has sparked intense debates throughout the curling community about fair play, refereeing standards, and the need for reform to prevent similar controversies in future competitions.