Canada's women's soccer team suffered a blow on Saturday after FIFA announced that the women's national team would be docked six points from its standings. Paris Olympics after staff members were caught using drones to spy on New Zealand during closed-door training sessions.
Following its investigation, the FIFA Appeal Committee announced the Canadian Soccer Association was responsible for failing to ensure that its staff members complied with Olympic rules.
Canada head coach Bev Priestman speaks to the team after a She Believes Cup match against Brazil at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on April 6, 2024, in Atlanta. (Andrea Vilchez/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
“CSA was found liable for failing to comply with applicable FIFA rules in relation to its failure to ensure compliance by its officials participating in the Final Competition of the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad Paris 2024 (OFT) with the ban on flying drones over any training site,” the statement said.
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“The officers were found responsible for offensive conduct and breaching the principles of fair play in relation to the use of drones by the CSA Women's representative team in the OFT's proceedings.”
Head coach Bev Priestman was removed from office Two staff members were sent home from Paris on Thursday night after an investigation found analyst Joseph Lombardi had allegedly used a drone to spy on New Zealand's practice sessions.
Canada's head coach Beverly Priestman gestures during the 2024 Concacaf Gold Cup W quarterfinal against Costa Rica at BMO Stadium on March 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Omar Vega/Getty Images)
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The revelation that there may have been unethical recordings of opponents in the past comes amid Canada's quest to defend its title at the Olympics. The women's team won gold in Tokyo and won its opening match against New Zealand on Thursday before Priestman's ejection.
FIFA announced Saturday that Priestman, Lombardi and assistant coach Jasmine Mander have been banned “from participating in any football-related activities for a period of one year.” The Canadian Soccer Federation was also fined $226,000.
Canada players pose for a team photo before the start of a Group A women's football match against New Zealand during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium in Saint-Etienne on July 25, 2024. (Arnaud Finistre/AFP via Getty Images)
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The Canadian Soccer Federation can appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. If the CAS judges uphold the points deduction, it will not eliminate Canada from the tournament, but it could mean the team must win all three Group A games to advance with three points, likely as second-place finisher.
Canada's next game is against France on Sunday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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