The 2026 Olympic Winter Games Disciplinary Panel has issued a one-game suspension to Italy’s Cristiano Digiacinto stemming from an incident involving an illegal check to the head or neck of an opponent.

The incident occurred at 8:05 of the second period during Game #8 between Italy and Slovakia on 13 February 2026 and was in violation of IIHF Playing Rule 48 (Illegal check to the head or neck). 

Video shows that Digiacinto delivers a check on Martin Fehervary (SVK) such that the main point of contact is the head. The Panel determined that this contact was avoidable and that the Player must take an angle of approach which allows him to make a legal bodycheck.

While the Panel acknowledges that Digiacinto did not intentionally target the head of his opponent, he nonetheless took a poor angle of approach to deliver a hit which resulted in direct contact to the head of Fehervary. Thus, Digiacinto endangered his opponent and as such violated Official Playing Rule 48 (Illegal Check to the Head and Neck).

The Disciplinary Panel has determined that the Player will be suspended one game, specifically Game #13 (FIN-ITA) on 14 February 2026 of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games.