Controversy now hangs over Canada’s women’s curling team, following cheating allegations against the men’s squad.
Both Canadian curling teams have been accused of the same infraction, double-touching the stone — or touching it again after release.
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The women’s team were called for the rules violation during Saturday’s match versus Switzerland, which Canada lost 8-7. Officials stopped play, ruling that Rachel Homan touched her stone again after releasing it. The stone was removed from the sheet, stunning Canada’s skip.
Teammate Emma Miskew could be seen asking officials why the call couldn’t be reviewed by video. She was told that the umpire needed to be trusted on such a judgment. Additionally, video is not typically used to review plays during a match under World Curling rules.
After the match, Homan denied that she committed any kind of infraction.
“I don’t understand the call. I’ll never understand it,” Homan added. “We’ve never done that. It has nothing to do with us.”
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Canada’s men’s curling team also accused of double-touching
The double-touching allegation follows the men’s Canadian curling team being accused of the same violation during Friday’s 8-6 victory over defending gold medalist Sweden. Swedish third Oskar Eriksson alleged that Canada’s Marc Kennedy touched the stone as it passed the hog line, after which the player can’t make contact again.
Kennedy profanely disputed the accusation, as seen on camera.
“I haven’t done it once,” Kennedy said. “You can f*** off.”
However, Eriksson didn’t back down.
Eriksson then asked, “You haven’t done it once?”
An impassioned Kennedy reiterated while pointing toward himself, “I haven’t done it once.”
Eriksson said back, “I’ll show you a video after the game.”
That exchange briefly dispelled the notion that curling may be the nicest sport of all. Of course, the stakes of competition are higher in the Winter Olympics.
Canada skip Brad Jacobs responded with his own allegations, asserting that Eriksson’s accusation was “desperate,” the team felt “targeted” and this may be a deliberate tactic by the Swedish team.
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“It felt like that was premeditated,” Jacobs said. “We also heard that they did the same thing against the Italian team. So I don’t know what they’re doing and what they’re trying to pull.”
World Curling clarifies double-touching rules
The dual controversies compelled World Curling to release a statement reminding players, teams and fans of the rules regarding double-touching.
That included a clarification that re-touching the handle before the stone crosses the hog line is allowed, but touching the granite as it moves forward is not allowed. In light of the accusations against Canada, officials will be “observing the delivery” more closely.
In a press release, World Curling also said the Canadian team was issued a verbal warning for Kennedy’s use of profane language. Citing Rule R.19, the organization added that “further inappropriate behaviour” would result in additional sanctions.
“Improper conduct, foul or offensive language, equipment abuse, or wilful damage on the part of any team member is prohibited. Any violation may result in suspension of the offending person(s) by the curling organisation having jurisdiction.”
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