Members of Canada's women's soccer team train at Stade Auguste Dury in Saint-Etienne, France on Saturday, July 27, 2024. It's the same venue used by New Zealand last Monday during the drone spying incident.Greg Strong/The Canadian Press
The Canadian women’s soccer team was dealt a devastating setback in their quest to repeat as Olympic champions Saturday when FIFA, the sport’s governing body, stripped them of six points for violating fair-play rules.
Canada Soccer and the Canadian Olympic Committee released a joint statement Saturday night saying Canada Soccer would appeal the loss of points.
“Canada Soccer is disappointed with the impact of the FIFA disciplinary committee’s decision on our athletes,” said Kevin Blue, Canada Soccer’s CEO and secretary general. “We are exploring options to appeal on the basis that it is excessively punitive towards our women’s national team – who were not involved in any unethical behaviour. 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. We appreciate the understanding and support for our players from our Canadian fans during this time.”
The loss of points will make succeeding beyond the group-stage round at the Olympics extremely difficult.
In addition to the loss of points, head coach Bev Priestman, assistant coach Jasmine Mander and analyst Joseph Lombardi have been barred for participating in soccer for one year.
Additionally, the punishment includes a fine of 200,000 Swiss francs (about $313,000).
FIFA cited Canada’s breaking of rules concerning offensive behaviour and violations of fair play.
“[Canada Soccer] was found responsible for failing to respect the applicable FIFA regulations in connection with its failure to ensure the compliance of its participating officials of the Olympic football tournament with the prohibition on flying drones over any training sites,” the decision read.
The Canadian side had been enveloped in scandal in the days leading up the official opening of the Games after New Zealand’s women’s team complained Canada had been spying, with a drone flying over a closed practice at Sainte-Étienne.
The drone’s operator, Lombardi, was arrested by local police for operating an unmanned aircraft over a prohibited area. He admitted guilt and agreed to an eight-month suspended sentence, and was sent home by the COC.
Priestman, who initially sat out one game, was suspended by Canada Soccer for the duration of the Games before FIFA’s ruling.
Canada defeated New Zealand 2-1 in the opening game of the tournament and is set to face France on Sunday in Saint-Étienne.
The loss of six points effectively puts Canada at -3 points in the standing with two games remaining.
Eight teams will advance beyond the group stage; the top two from each of the three groups plus the top two third-place finishers. Nothing in the FIFA sanctions negates the two goals Canada scored against New Zealand.
“We feel terrible for the athletes on the Canadian women’s Olympic soccer team who as far as we understand played no role in this matter,” COC CEO David Shoemaker said. “In support of the athletes, together with Canada Soccer, we are exploring rights of appeal related to the six-point deduction at this Olympic tournament.”
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