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July 29 – Canada’s women’s football team have been deducted six points at the Olympics and coach Bev Priestman banned for one year in the latest fallout from the drone spying scandal that has rocked the defending gold medalists.
Priestman had already been thrown out of the competition along with assistant coach Jasmine Mander and analyst Joseph Lombardi after a drone was flown over New Zealand’s training session last week.
FIFA announced the latest sanctions – which also include a fine of 200,000 Swiss francs for the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) – a day after English-born Priestman was removed as Canada’s Olympic head coach. Lombardi and Mander have also been suspended by Fifa for a year.
FIFA said the use of the drone by Canada’s team was in violation of its principles.
“The officials were each found responsible for offensive behaviour and violation of the principles of fair play in connection with the CSA’s Women’s representative team’s drones usage in the scope of the Olympic football tournament,” said a statement.
Priestman “voluntarily” stepped aside from her coaching duties for Canada’s opening game against the Kiwis after the New Zealand Olympic Committee reported the drone incident. The Canadians won the game 2-1.
The CSA can appeal against the FIFA ruling before the Court of Arbitration for Sport and in a statement its chief executive Kevin Blue and Canadian Olympic Committee chief executive David Shoemaker both said an appeal was under consideration.
“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,” Blue said.
“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.”
Shoemaker added: “We feel terrible for the athletes on the Canadian Women’s Olympic…
Source link : https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2024/07/29/canada-clings-olympic-dream-despite-cheating-coaches-docked-6-points/
Author : Paul Nicholson
Publish date : 2024-07-29 10:31:09
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