Canada has taken action against FIFA’s decision to deduct six points in a drone-spying scandal during the Paris Olympics women’s soccer tournament. The verdict is expected shortly before the team’s final group-stage game on Wednesday.
FIFA penalized the Olympic defending champion Canada and suspended coach Bev Priestman and two assistant coaches for one year for allegedly using a drone to spy on opponent New Zealand’s practices. The Canadian soccer federation and the Olympic body have filed an appeal, which was officially submitted to the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Monday.
CAS plans to hold an appeal hearing on Tuesday and aims to deliver a verdict by Wednesday noon. The bans imposed on the coaches are not part of this particular case. Canada is set to face Colombia in Nice on Wednesday night and is eager to learn the outcome of the appeal before the match.
The points deduction by FIFA nullified Canada’s victories in the first two games against New Zealand and France. Canada surprised everyone by defeating France 2-1, with a remarkable comeback in the second half, including a winning goal in the 12th minute of stoppage time.
Despite the potential loss in court and a victory on the field on Wednesday, Canada still has a chance to advance to the quarterfinals in the 12-team tournament. The top two third-place teams from the three groups will progress to the knockout stage.
Canadian officials have denied any player involvement in the alleged cheating and believe it may have been a long-standing issue within the system. Coach Priestman, who took over the team in 2020, expressed her remorse and stated that she is devastated for the players.
The 38-year-old English coach may choose to appeal her FIFA ban individually to CAS. The situation continues to develop as the team prepares for their crucial match.
The appeal process and the subsequent verdict will have a significant impact on Canada’s journey in the Olympics. The outcome will determine whether the team can retain their points and continue their quest for another gold medal. Fans and supporters are eagerly awaiting the final decision and hoping for a positive resolution for the Canadian team.