The Canadian women’s soccer team faced a significant setback on Saturday after FIFA declared that the women’s national team would lose six points in the standings for the Paris Olympics due to staff members using drones to surveil New Zealand during closed training sessions.
Following an investigation, FIFA’s Appeal Committee stated that the Canadian Soccer Association was accountable for not ensuring its staff adhered to Olympic regulations.
Canadian head coach Bev Priestman interacting with the team after a She Believes Cup game against Brazil at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on April 6, 2024, in Atlanta. (Andrea Vilchez/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty)
“CSA was found liable for failing to comply with FIFA regulations concerning the prohibition on flying drones over training sites,” the statement read.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
“The officials were found guilty of improper conduct and breaching fair play principles due to the CSA Women’s representative team’s drone usage in connection with the OFT.”
Head coach Bev Priestman was dismissed from her role Thursday night following the departure of two staff members from Paris due to an investigation revealing analyst Joseph Lombardi allegedly utilized a drone to observe New Zealand’s practice sessions.
Canadian head coach Beverly Priestman gestures during the quarterfinals of the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup against Costa Rica at BMO Stadium on March 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Omar Vega/Getty)
CANADIAN OLYMPIC COMMITTEE SAYS SPYING SCANDAL ‘COULD TARNISH’ WOMEN’S TOKYO GOLD MEDAL
The disclosure of prior unethical recordings against opponents arises during Canada’s quest to defend its Olympic title after winning gold in Tokyo, and follows the women’s team’s victory over New Zealand on Thursday prior to Priestman’s firing.
FIFA announced on Saturday that Priestman, Lombardi, and assistant coach Jasmine Mander have been prohibited from participating in any football-related activities for a one-year period. Canada Soccer was also penalized with a fine of $226,000.
Canadian players pose for a team photo ahead of a women’s Group A soccer match against New Zealand during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium in Saint-Etienne on July 25, 2024. (Arnaud Finistre/AFP via Getty)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Canada Soccer has the right to challenge the decision before the Court of Arbitration for Sport. If the points deduction is maintained by the CAS judges, it won’t eliminate Canada from the tournament, but the team may need to win all three matches in Group A to progress with three points, likely as a runner-up in the standings.
Canada’s upcoming match is on Sunday against France.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
For the latest updates, follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
