February 16, 2026 l Dalena Reporters
In a dramatic disciplinary move at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, the French Ice Hockey Federation (FFHG) has suspended defenceman Pierre Crinon for the remainder of the men’s tournament following his on-ice altercation with Canada’s Tom Wilson during a lopsided Group A game on Sunday, February 15, 2026.
The incident unfolded late in France’s 10–2 loss to Canada, when Crinon and Wilson dropped the gloves a rare scene in Olympic ice hockey, where fighting is prohibited under International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) rules. Both players were assessed misconduct penalties and ejected from the match by officials.
Despite the IIHF choosing not to impose additional sanctions beyond the ejections, the French federation took the extra step of banning Crinon from further competition in the tournament. France’s leadership said his behaviour after leaving the ice including provocative gestures toward the crowd “violates the Olympic spirit” and undermines the values expected of athletes representing their country.
Crinon’s suspension means he will miss France’s upcoming qualification round game against Germany, as the team seeks to advance toward the quarterfinals despite finishing last in Group A play. This decision highlights how national federations can impose discipline above and beyond international rulings when conduct off the puck runs counter to their standards.
The incident capped a dominant performance by Canada which secured a 10–2 win over France to close its preliminary schedule and underscored the intense rivalry and physical nature of high-level international hockey, even in an Olympic setting where fighting is otherwise discouraged.