FIFA has deducted six points from the gold-winning Canadian women’s football team, and coach Bev Priestman has been barred from coaching football for a year.
In the women’s football competition at the Paris Olympics, FIFA docked Canada six points and suspended three coaches for a year apiece due to a drone espionage controversy.
A 200,000 Swiss franc ($226,000) charge for the Canadian football federation is part of the shocking array of penalties that were revealed late on Saturday in connection with a case that has become increasingly complex throughout the Summer Games.
Prior to their debut game on Wednesday, New Zealand’s opponent, two assistant coaches, were observed deploying drones to eavesdrop on their training.
The national football federation had previously suspended head coach Bev Priestman, who had guided Canada to the 2021 Olympic title in Tokyo, and had later been kicked out of the Olympic competition. FIFA has now banned her from all football for a year.
FIFA asked its appeals courts to take up the case, expediting its own disciplinary procedure.
Priestman and her two helpers were deemed by the judges to have “both violated the fair play principles and engaged in offensive behavior.”
The Canadian federation was blamed for failing to make sure that its employees followed the regulations of the competition.
The coaches and the Canadian federation have the option to contest their sanctions before the special Olympic court of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) located in Paris. The Olympic tribunal is scheduled to hold urgent hearings and render decisions.
Englishman Priestman, 38, was brought on as Canada’s coach in 2020. Her contract runs through the Women’s World Cup in 2027.
Following the revelation of the controversy, Priestman withdrew from the reigning champs’ Olympic debut match against New Zealand on Wednesday. Officials in Canada believe that the spying has been ongoing and systematic.
For reportedly using a drone to spy on New Zealand while undergoing training, her two employees were sent home. Andy Spence, Canada’s temporary coach, led his team to a 2-1 victory.
Canada remains in the tournament even if the CAS judges decide to uphold the points deduction. It could imply that the club needs to win each of its three Group A games in order to advance with three points and, most likely, finish second in the standings.
Canada’s next matches are against Colombia on Thursday in Nice and group leaders France on Sunday in Saint-Etienne.
