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FIFA has increased the penalties against the Canada women’s soccer team for using drones to record opponents’ practices.
The organization deducted six points from the team in the Paris Olympics women’s soccer tournament, equivalent to two wins. Coach Bev Priestman was also suspended from world competition for one year, according to the Associated Press.
FIFA also fined Canada’s FA 200,000 Swiss francs while banning coaches: “The officials were each found responsible for offensive behaviour and violation of the principles of fair play in connection with the CSA’s Women’s representative team’s drones usage”
— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) July 27, 2024
Priestman had already been suspended by Canada Soccer and sent home from the Paris Games. In addition, staff member Joseph Lombardi and assistant coach Jasmine Mander were prohibited from participating in the Olympic women’s soccer tournament.
“I am absolutely heartbroken for the players, and I would like to apologize from the bottom of my heart for the impact this situation has had on all of them,” Priestman said in a statement released after FIFA’s decision was announced.
“As the leader of the team on the field, I want to take accountability,” she added, “and I plan to fully cooperate with the investigation.”
Canada Soccer chose not to withdraw from the Olympics as the players were not involved in the drone incident and hoped to avoid further penalties from FIFA through prompt action.
Lombardi was caught flying a drone over New Zealand’s practice earlier in the week before their Olympics opener on Thursday. His hotel room was later searched, and drone footage was discovered, after which he admitted to watching two New Zealand training sessions to gather information on the team’s tactics.
Under interim coach Andy Spence, Canada won Thursday’s match 2–1.
FIFA expedited its investigation and disciplinary process with the Olympic tournament in progress. The organization’s appeals judges determined that Priestman and the two assistants “were each found responsible for offensive behavior and violation of the principles of fair play.”
In light of the allegations against the Canadian women’s team, reports have emerged about the men’s national team’s alleged attempt to use drones during the Copa América tournament.
Both the men’s and women’s national teams have been accused of “relying on drones and spying for years,” according to TSN. This includes during the women’s team’s journey to a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics under Priestman’s leadership.
Canada’s next match is against host country France on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.
Explore a timeline of the scandal here.