Canada’s women’s football team is facing severe penalties after it was discovered that a drone was used to spy on a rival team’s training sessions at the Olympics. Coach Bev Priestman has been banned for one year, and the team has been deducted six points from their group. Additionally, the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) has been fined £175,720.
Fifa, the governing body of football, stated that the use of the drone by Canada’s team was a “violation” of its principles and deemed it offensive behavior. As a result, Coach Priestman was removed from her position as Canada’s Olympic head coach. CSA officials Joseph Lombardi and Jasmine Mander have also been suspended for a year.
The incident came to light when the New Zealand Olympic Committee reported that a drone had flown over their training session. Following investigations by Fifa and the CSA, it was determined that Priestman was “highly likely” to have been aware of the incident. Priestman took responsibility for the actions of her colleagues after a scouting report filed by Lombardi was sent to Mander.
The consequences of this incident extend beyond just the penalties imposed on the team. In a French court, Lombardi, the CSA official responsible for flying the drone, received an eight-month suspended jail sentence for flying a drone in an urban area without a license. This further highlights the seriousness of the offense.
The Canadian Olympic Committee has expressed concern that there may be information that could tarnish Canada’s women’s football triumph from the Tokyo Games. Canadian media reports have suggested that drones may have been used in previous tournaments as well. This raises questions about the integrity of Canada’s previous performances and calls for a thorough investigation into their past actions.
In light of these penalties, assistant coach Andy Spence will take charge of the team for the remainder of the Games. Canada, as the defending Olympic champions, will face a tough challenge in their upcoming game against France. With their six-point deduction, they are currently at a deficit in Group A.
The CSA has the option to appeal against Fifa’s decision before the Court of Arbitration for Sport. This could provide an opportunity for them to present any mitigating factors or challenge the severity of the penalties imposed.
Overall, this incident serves as a reminder of the importance of fair play and ethical conduct in sports. It highlights the consequences that teams and individuals face when they deviate from the principles upheld by governing bodies such as Fifa. Moving forward, it is crucial for teams to uphold the highest standards of integrity to maintain the reputation and credibility of the sport.