Milan, Italy – The fallout from a recent on-ice altercation at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics continues for French hockey player Pierre Crinon, extending beyond a suspension from the French Ice Hockey Federation. The incident, stemming from a fight with Canadian player Tom Wilson during a game on , has triggered a reopened criminal investigation in France related to a prior assault charge.
Crinon was initially suspended by the French federation following the fight and subsequent behavior deemed to be against the values of the team. He was barred from participating in Tuesday’s qualification round match against Germany, which France lost 5-1. However, the repercussions have now broadened to include legal proceedings concerning an incident that occurred last year.
According to reports from the French newspaper Le Dauphiné Libéré, the Public Prosecutor of Grenoble has decided to pursue charges against Crinon in connection with an assault on Matt O’Connor, a former Ottawa Senators goaltender. The incident took place on during a league match, where Crinon allegedly punched O’Connor, causing injury to his eye. While the initial complaint filed by O’Connor was previously dismissed, the prosecutor has reopened the case following Crinon’s fight with Wilson at the Olympics.
The prosecutor’s decision appears to be influenced by a perception that Crinon demonstrated a pattern of aggressive behavior. The renewed legal action centers on charges of “intentional violence resulting in an ITT of less than eight days,” where ITT stands for “Incapacité Totale de Travail,” a French legal term denoting total incapacity for work. O’Connor was reportedly unable to work for three days following the assault, leading to the charge being classified as a petty offense.
The potential penalty for this offense is a fine of up to 1,500 euros. More severe cases, involving work absences of eight days or more, can result in prison sentences of up to three years and fines reaching 45,000 euros. A hearing is scheduled to take place in Grenoble on .
The incident with Wilson unfolded after Crinon delivered a forearm to the jaw of Canadian forward Nathan MacKinnon, resulting in a penalty. Wilson then retaliated, initiating a fight with Crinon. Both players were ejected from the game under International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) rules, which treat fighting as a game misconduct, unlike the NHL where it results in a five-minute major penalty. The IIHF did not impose further sanctions beyond the ejection.
While the IIHF opted not to pursue additional disciplinary action, the French Ice Hockey Federation deemed Crinon’s actions, including his behavior after being ejected from the game, to be a violation of the federation’s values and the Olympic spirit. The federation’s statement emphasized the responsibility of athletes representing France to serve as positive role models, particularly during the Olympic Games.
The situation highlights the differing approaches to player conduct between international hockey and the NHL, where Wilson’s aggressive style of play is more readily accepted. It also underscores the potential for actions on the ice to have consequences extending beyond the sporting arena, particularly when they involve legal ramifications in a player’s home country.
The reopening of the case against Crinon suggests that authorities in Grenoble are taking a firm stance against violence, and are willing to revisit past incidents in light of recent events. The upcoming hearing will determine the extent of the legal repercussions Crinon faces, adding another layer of complexity to a situation that began with a heated exchange on the Olympic ice.
