There FIFA decided to take drastic measures against the women's football team Canadaremoving six points in the Olympic tournament and sanction the coach Beverly Priestmanas well as two members of its technical staff, including the drone pilot. The organization argued that the spying scandal uncovered in recent days violated the rules of fair play and good conduct in sport.

The incident came to light when a drone belonging to the Canadian team was caught flying over the training ground of New Zealand players, their rivals in the early stages of the Olympic tournament. It all happened four years after Canada won gold in Tokyo. A member of the Paris 2024 organisation discovered that the drone was flying over New Zealand training centres without permission and alerted the police. The drone pilot, who turned out to be one of Priestman's deputies, was arrested by the authorities and sentenced to eight months in prison, on bail.

FIFA's sanction against Beverly Priestman and two other members of her team, including the drone pilot, consists of a ban from all football-related activities for one year and a fine of 200,000 Swiss francs. Additionally, the Canadian Soccer Federation immediately fired Priestman and ordered an independent investigation into the events.

The news of the espionage had a strong impact on the Canadian team. Vanessa Gillesteam defender, spoke about it saying: “We are not cheaters”Gilles assured that the revelation of the scandal affected the locker room and that they had to overcome the emotion it caused them.

The Canadian coach decidedor sit on the bench during the game against New Zealandwhich ended in a 2-1 Canadian victory. The technical direction of this match was assumed by Andy Spenceattached that he is not among those sanctioned by FIFA. After the match, the Canadian team expressed their complete ignorance of the espionage activities. “We were not aware of this spying” ” said the players.

The FIFA Appeals Committee considered that in addition to the persons directly responsible for the case, the Canadian Federation did not fulfill its duty of care on their coaches, which is why a six-point penalty was imposed on them. In this way, Canada will face its next duel against France with -3 points, thus complicating its path to qualifying for the quarter-finals of the tournament.

This sanction opens a window of opportunity for Colombiawho after losing their first match against the hosts, now have the opportunity to get back into the tournament against New Zealand. The competition has intensified and the teams must focus on their performances on the field to progress to the next stages.

The scandal goes away a stain on the Canadian team's record and left a team that had entered the competition as heavy favourites after winning gold in the previous event on the brink of elimination.

THIS IS WHAT THE TABLE AIMED AT AFTER THE SANCTION

France: 3 points

Colombia: 0 pt

New Zealand: 0 pt

Canada -3 points

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