Paris 2024: FIFA punishes Canada Women’s team for drone spy scandal

The body governing football in the world, FIFA have punished Canada women’s football team for their drone scandal at the ongoing Olympic games being hosted in Paris.

The coaching crew of the New Zealand women’s team had previously complained that Canadian staff flew drones over their training sessions before their opening fixture at the Olympics, which the Canada won 2-1.

What did the Canada Women’s football team do?

They were found guilty of spying on the training sessions of the New Zealand’s training session in their group at the Olympics. There were also runours that they have been committing the crime as far back as 2017. Two assistant coaches were caught using drones to spy on opponent New Zealand’s practices before their opening game on Wednesday, July 24, 2024.

What was FIFA’s punishment for Canada

FIFA confirmed in a statement released on its website that they will deduct six points from Canada Women’s soccer at the 2024 Olympics (currently on -3). The Canadian Soccer Federation was fined $226,000 while head coach, Bev Priestman, and staff analysts Jasmine Mander and Joey Lombardi were all suspended from all soccer activities for one year.

Head coach Bev Priestman, who led Canada to the Olympic gold medal in 2021, had been suspended by the national soccer federation and then removed from the Olympic tournament

FIFA judges found Priestman and her two assistants “were each found responsible for offensive behaviour and violation of the principles of fair play. The Canadian federation was held responsible for not ensuring its staff complied with tournament rules.

However, this means Canada’s chances of retaining the gold medal they won in Tokyo has become very slim following the points deduction. There have not been any immediate comment from Canada Soccer or the Canadian Olympic Committee.

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