Winter Olympics star slapped with ban by own country after starting brawl
Pierre Crinon has been suspended from the remainder of the Winter Olympics by the French Ice Hockey Federation after his on-ice confrontation with Canada’s Tom Wilson during Sunday’s heavy 10-2 loss.
The incident marked the first brawl witnessed at an Olympic ice hockey tournament since 1998.
Before the altercation erupted, Crinon struck Canadian star Nathan MacKinnon with a forearm, prompting Wilson to retaliate.
Both players received immediate ejections, as fighting carries automatic dismissal under Olympic rules, unlike in the NHL where such confrontations are permitted.
While Olympic officials opted against imposing further penalties on either player, the FFHG announced on Monday that it had conducted its own internal review and reached a different conclusion.
The federation’s statement outlined that FFHG president Pierre-Yves Gerbeau interviewed Crinon alongside senior officials including Fabien Saguez, head of the Olympic delegation mission.
The FFHG declared: “Pierre Crinon’s provocative behaviour upon leaving the ice, even though he had just been ejected from the game for fighting, constitutes a clear violation of the Olympic spirit and also undermines the values of our sport.”
Pierre Crinon has been suspended from the remainder of the Winter Olympics by the French Ice Hockey Federation after his on-ice confrontation with Canada’s Tom Wilson during Sunday’s heavy 10-2 loss
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The federation emphasised that players representing France carry a responsibility to serve as role models, particularly during the Games.
The decision was reached in coordination with the French National Olympic and Sports Committee, with the FFHG stressing its commitment to upholding the standards expected of those wearing the national jersey.
France now faces an elimination match against Germany on Tuesday morning, with Crinon unavailable for selection.
Hockey players rushed to intervene following the fight at the Winter Olympics | GETTY
The stakes could not be higher: the defeated side will exit the tournament entirely, while the victors progress to a quarter-final clash with Slovakia.
Germany enter the fixture as favourites, and the French squad’s task has become considerably more challenging following their decision to sideline Crinon.
Les Bleus have yet to secure a single victory throughout the Olympic competition, having lost all three of their preliminary round matches.
The suspension leaves France’s coaching staff with reduced options as they attempt to avoid becoming the next team eliminated from the tournament.
France’s preliminary campaign saw them suffer a 4-0 shutout against Switzerland before falling 6-3 to the Czech Republic in a more competitive encounter.
Canada’s emphatic 10-2 demolition of France at the Milan Winter Olympics was overshadowed by a violent altercation that saw both Tom Wilson and Pierre Crinon thrown out of the match on Sunday | GETTY
Their tournament then reached its nadir with Canada putting 10 goals past them on Sunday.
Germany’s performances have similarly failed to meet expectations despite being considered the stronger side heading into Tuesday’s encounter.
The Germans opened with a 3-1 triumph over Denmark but subsequently fell to Latvia in a shock 4-3 defeat.
Their group stage concluded with a 5-1 loss to the United States, leaving both nations entering the qualification round with significant questions about their form and momentum.
