FIFA has docked the Canadian women's national soccer team six points and fined them $226,000 for using drones to spy on opponents at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Canadian Soccer Association coaches Beverley Priestman, Joseph Lombardi and Jasmine Mander have also been banned from taking part in any soccer-related activity for one year.
FIFA said Canada had breached Article 13 of its disciplinary regulations, which cover offensive behaviour and breaches of the principles of fair play, and Article 6.1 of the OFT rules after two assistant coaches were found to have used a drone to spy on training sessions before the team's opening match against New Zealand.
The Canadian Olympic Committee and Canada Soccer Association said in a statement Saturday that they were “considering their right to appeal” the points deduction.
“We are extremely sorry to the players of the Canadian Women's Olympic Soccer Team, who, to our understanding, had no involvement in this matter. In support of the players, we are working with the Canada Soccer Association to explore appeal options related to the six-point deduction from these Olympic Games,” Canadian Olympic Committee CEO David Shoemaker said in a statement.
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The ruling and hearings will be handled by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which also operates the Olympic Court in Paris.
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World soccer's governing body said Priestman and his two assistants were “responsible for offensive behaviour and breaches of the principles of fair play”.
Canada won the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, which were postponed due to the pandemic, and Priestman was suspended and subsequently removed from Olympic competition.
Canada, under interim coach Andy Spence, defeated New Zealand 2-1.
Canada still has a chance to advance in the tournament, but they'll want to win all of their games in Group A and rack up points in the standings to move up. They next face France on Sunday and Colombia on Thursday.
