FIFA strips Canada of 6 points in Paris Olympics soccer tournament, bans coach Bev Priestman for 1 year

FIFA has added to the penalties against the Canada women’s soccer team for using drones to record opponents’ practices.

The organization docked six points from the team in the Paris Olympics women’s soccer tournament, which is the equivalent of two wins. Coach Bev Priestman was also banned from world competition for one year, reports 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”

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Priestman had already been suspended by Canada Soccer and sent home from the Paris Games. Additionally, staffer Joseph Lombardi and assistant coach Jasmine Mander were barred from the Olympic women’s soccer tournament.

Canada Soccer decided not to withdraw from the Olympics because the players weren’t involved in the drone use and hoped to avoid a penalty from FIFA with swift action.

Lombardi was caught flying a drone over New Zealand‘s practice earlier in the week ahead of their Olympics opener on Thursday. His hotel room was later searched and drone footage was found, after which he admitted that he watched two New Zealand training sessions to learn the team’s tactics.Under interim coach Andy Spence, Canada won Thursday’s match 2–1.

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