Canada has been deducted six points in the Paris Olympic Games women’s soccer tournament and head coach Bev Priestman, along with two other staff members, has been suspended from all soccer activities for a year as a result of the drone spying incidents.
FIFA, the global soccer governing body, announced the sanctions Saturday following the scandal that has engulfed the 2020 Olympic gold medallists’ title defence attempt.
Canada Soccer, the national governing body, was also fined 200,000 Swiss francs.
Priestman, who led the team to the Olympic title in Tokyo three years ago, and Canadian staff members Joseph Lombardi and Jasmine Mander have been banned for “offensive behaviour and violation of the principles of fair play”, said FIFA Saturday, via a statement.
Canada allegedly caught cheating at Olympic Games
News broke Tuesday that a “non-accredited” member of Canada Soccer’s support team had been detained by French authorities in Saint-Étienne. They were accused of using a drone to record New Zealand’s practice ahead of Thursday’s tournament opener.
Mander, an assistant coach, and Joseph Lombardi, an analyst with the team, were sent home from the Olympics Wednesday.
On the same day, Canada coach Priestman voluntarily removed herself from Thursday’s game.
“On behalf of our entire team, I first and foremost want to apologize to the players and staff at New Zealand Football and to the players on Team Canada,” said Priestman at the time, via a statement. “This does not represent the values that our team stands for.”
Canada Soccer and Canadian Olympic Committee respond to sanctions
Canada Soccer and the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) have both said they plan to appeal the initial punishments administered by FIFA.
“Canada Soccer is disappointed with the impact of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s decision on our athletes,” said Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue in a statement Saturday. “We are exploring options to appeal on the basis that it is excessively punitive towards our Women’s National Team players – who were not involved in any unethical behaviour.
“Canada Soccer took swift action to suspend the implicated staff members and is also proceeding with a broad independent review that may lead to further disciplinary action. We appreciate the understanding and support for our players from our Canadian fans during this time.”
And COC’s CEO David Shoemaker echoed Blue’s words via a similar statement.
“We feel terrible for the athletes on the Canadian Women’s Olympic Soccer Team who as far as we understand played no role in this matter,” said Shoemaker Saturday. “In support of the athletes, together with Canada Soccer, we are exploring rights of appeal related to the six point deduction at this Olympic tournament.”
Canada win first game, but Olympic progression in doubt
Canada subsequently opened their tournament with a 2-1 win over New Zealand Thursday. And they next face hosts France on Sunday, before wrapping up the group stage against Columbia Wednesday.
But due to the points deduction, Canada will likely need to win against both France and Columbia to advance from the group stage.
