Drone-spying scandal: Canada challenges 6-points deduction by FIFA at Paris Olympics court
Canada's head coach Bev Priestman gestures during the Women's World Cup Group B soccer match between Australia and Canada in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, July 31, 2023. FIFA deducted six points from Canada in the Paris Olympics women’s soccer tournament and banned three coaches, including Priestman, for one year each on Saturday, July 27, 2204, in a drone spying scandal. Credit: AP/Hamish Blair
PARIS — Canada appealed against being docked six points by FIFA in a drone-spying scandal at the Paris Olympics women’s soccer tournament, and a verdict is expected hours before the team plays its last group-stage game Wednesday.
FIFA punished Olympic defending champion Canada on Saturday — and banned coach Bev Priestman and two assistant coaches for one year — for allegations of using a drone to spy on opponent New Zealand’s practices.
The expected legal move by the Canadian soccer federation and Olympic body was formally registered Monday by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in a fast-track case.
CAS said it aims to have an appeal hearing Tuesday with its panel of three judges giving a verdict by midday Wednesday. The coaches' bans are not part of this case.
“The appeal is based on the disproportionality of the sanction,” the Canadian soccer federation said in a statement, “which we believe unfairly punishes the athletes for actions they had no part in and goes far beyond restoring fairness to the match against New Zealand.”
Canada plays Colombia in Nice on Wednesday night and needs to know where it stands before the game starts.
The deduction by FIFA wiped out Canada’s points earned by winning its first two games against New Zealand and France. Canada stunned France 2-1 on Sunday with a second-half comeback capped by winning goal in the 12th minute of stoppage time.
Canada's players celebrate after Vanessa Gille scored her side's second goal during the women's Group A soccer match between Canada and France at Geoffroy-Guichard stadium during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Saint-Etienne, France. Credit: AP/Silvia Izquierdo
Canada could still advance to the quarterfinals in the 12-team tournament even with a loss in court and win on the field Wednesday. Two third-place teams in the three groups will go to the knockout stage.
Canadian officials have said no player was involved in any alleged cheating, which they suspect has been a systemic problem potentially over years.
Priestman, who coached the team since 2020, has apologized and said she is “absolutely heartbroken for the players.”
She stepped aside from being involved in the opening game against New Zealand last Wednesday — also a come-from-behind 2-1 win — and was removed from the Olympics by Canadian officials before the FIFA verdict.
Canada team celebrates their side's 2-1 win at the end of the women's Group A soccer match between Canada and France at Geoffroy-Guichard stadium during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Saint-Etienne, France. Credit: AP/Silvia Izquierdo
The 38-year-old English coach could yet appeal to CAS against her FIFA ban as an individual.
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