The Canadian national women’s Olympic soccer squad has been penalized six points and three coaches have been barred for a year due to a drone spying controversy.
Two assistant coaches were apprehended flying a drone over the training session of their New Zealand counterparts just before their inaugural match on Wednesday.
FIFA has subtracted six points from Canada and levied a fine of 200,000 Swiss francs (£176,000) on the country’s football federation. Additionally, head coach Bev Priestman, along with Joseph Lombardi and Jasmine Mander, have each received a one-year ban.
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FIFA panel members stated that 38-year-old Ms. Priestman, who was recruited to guide the Canadian team in 2020, and her two aides “were accountable for inappropriate conduct and breach of fair play principles”.
The Canadian federation was held accountable for failing to ensure their staff adhered to tournament regulations.
Despite the point deduction, Canada, the gold medalists in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, will not be automatically disqualified from the tournament, but they must win all three group stage matches.
Assistant coach Andy Spence will be in charge of the team for the rest of the Olympic events.
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The coaches and the federation have the option to contest the penalties at the Court of Arbitration’s specialized Olympic tribunal in Paris. The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) is currently evaluating the possibility of appeal.
The controversy sparked off after the New Zealand team lodged a complaint on July 22nd regarding a drone intrusion during a training session.
Ms. Priestman refuted any awareness of the occurrence but, in a statement on Wednesday, assumed accountability for her colleagues’ actions.
However, David Shoemaker, the CEO of COC, stated on Thursday that they had uncovered new evidence regarding prior drone incidents against opponents, indicating that Ms. Priestman was “highly likely” cognizant of such events.
He expressed confidence in Canada’s women’s team continuing in Paris to defend their Tokyo gold, dismissing demands for their complete disqualification.
“If additional revelations arise, we will consider further course of action as needed,” he appended.