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.Silvia Izquierdo/The Associated Press
Several hours ahead of a critical match Wednesday night, the Court of Arbitration for Sport has dismissed an appeal by Canada’s women’s soccer team.
In a joint news release, the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canada Soccer said they were “disappointed in the outcome.”
A six-point penalty was imposed by FIFA, the sport’s governing body, for “offensive behaviour” after the arrest and conviction of a Canada team member flying a drone over an opponent’s practice. Three coaches, including head coach Bev Priestman, were also sent home, and a fine imposed.
Canada appealed only the six-point penalty.
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Canada’s Minister of Sport, Carla Qualtrough, had endorsed a smaller penalty: “If you want to address the perception of unfair advantage that came with the actions that were taken, you could have done that with a three-point hit.”
Apparently, CAS did not agree. On Wednesday, a three-judge panel dismissed the appeal without comment. Their reasons will be relayed at a later date.
The upshot is that not much changes. Canada still needs to win against Colombia on Wednesday at 9 p.m. (3 p.m. ET).
If they do, they will finish second in the group on three points and advance to the knockout round.
If they lose, they’re out.
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