Curling’s world governing body said Saturday that Canada received a verbal warning for using vulgar language after defending Olympic champion Sweden was accused of cheating.
The Swedish team believes that during Friday’s round-robin game, a Canadian touched the stone with his finger multiple times and poked it again with his finger to correct its course.
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Canada’s Mark Kennedy and Sweden’s Oskar Eriksson exchanged insults and tempers flared.
“After 25 years on tour and four Olympics, I don’t like being accused of cheating,” Kennedy said.
“So I told him (Eriksson) where to stick the ball. He might be frustrated because he lost…”
Canada won 8-6.
On Saturday, World Curling said it had spoken with Canadian officials and “issued a verbal warning regarding the language used.”
“It’s a fierce competition … the biggest stage in the world,” Curling Canada CEO Nolan Thiessen said.
“Do I hope Mark doesn’t drop the F-bomb? Wrong wording, but (it’s) the most exciting moment and we’ll keep going.
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“Probably a misnomer. I guess I would also take into account the enthusiasm. Something was said in his ear and it got him going.
“I support those guys. They always play with a lot of integrity and they would never do anything offside on purpose.”
“But it adds a little extra shine to the sport. Sometimes that’s not a bad thing.”
The World Curling Association said in a statement that video replays were not used to re-referral decisions on Friday and no infractions were recorded.
EA/GJ