SAINT-ETIENNE, France – The Canadian Olympic Committee says it is “exploring rights of appeal” after a FIFA ruling docked six points from the Canadian women’s soccer team due to a drone spying scandal at the Paris Games.
FIFA also banned three coaches – including head coach Bev Priestman – for one year each and fined Canada Soccer about C$313,000.
Two assistant coaches were caught using drones to spy on New Zealand’s practices before the teams played their opening game last Thursday, a 2-1 Canada win.
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Canada Soccer was held responsible for not ensuring its staff complied with tournament rules.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport has a special Olympic court in Paris that’s set up for urgent hearings and verdicts at the Olympics.
The points deduction, if upheld, does not eliminate Canada from the tournament but makes it much more difficult for the defending champions to advance.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 27, 2024.