Nestled in a valley along the mountainous outskirts of this small French town lies a modest two-field soccer complex that has become the epicenter of controversy over a Canadian football program in crisis.
A team analyst, part of the coaching staff for the women's Olympic football team, was caught using a drone to spy on New Zealand's training sessions at the venue ahead of the start of the Paris Games.
FIFA cracked down on the program over the weekend. The team was deducted six points, the Canadian Soccer Federation was fined and three coaches, including head coach Bev Priestman, were suspended for one year.
“Fair play is certainly what I learned in school about what the Olympics are supposed to be about,” International Olympic Committee spokesman Mark Adams said before FIFA’s decision was revealed at the IOC’s opening news conference. “That’s what we’re asking for. That’s what the rules are for.”
WATCH | Canada loses 6 points amid scandal:
In a match that the defending champions had to win, Vanessa Gilles' goal late in added time gave Canada a 2-1 victory over France.
The Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Soccer Federation are appealing the points deduction imposed by FIFA. A hearing was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Paris.
Canada is expected to make a decision before closing out its Group A campaign Wednesday night against Colombia in Nice. Canada (2-0-0) will practice Tuesday at Stade des Iscles. A win over Colombia would give Canada three points and a spot in the round of 16.
Many questions remain in the scandal that has darkened the Canadian national team, even though there is no indication that any players are involved.
It will take time before we have answers. The Canadian Soccer Federation is planning an independent external investigation.
It's unclear why New Zealand (the lowest-ranked team in Group A, ranked 28th) was a prime target for scrutiny in the first place. The Soccer Ferns are a plucky team with some spark, but they have only won once in 16 all-time head-to-head meetings against eighth-ranked Canada.
Beyond the ethical and sporting issues (not to mention that the use of drones is prohibited on training sites), the decision to take so many risks seems even stranger in the context of the Stade Auguste Dury.
The field has translucent Olympic banners around most of the installed perimeter mesh, but there are gaps. Low branches only partially obstruct the view.
Player formations, penalty shootouts and set plays (some of the key training information that would be visible with the drone footage) were mostly visible just by looking over the fence and up the hill.
WATCH l Gilles' late goal gives Canada a 2-1 win over host France:
FIFA has decided to strip the Canadian women's soccer team of six points and ban three coaches for one year, including technical director Bev Priestman. The move comes after members of the team were accused of using a drone to spy on other teams during the Olympics and other events.
The sidewalk next to the stadium entrance is just a few steps from the sideline, allowing the noise of coaches and players to be clearly heard. Private residences and commercial establishments located on the hilltop above the field also overlook the playing field.
A handful of security officers patrolled the site during two Canadian training sessions held there last week.
At one point on Saturday, a curious local resident drove his car up to the entrance of the training venue. After a brief conversation, they asked him to turn around.
A British football fan, eager to see the Olympic champions, sat quietly on a nearby bench, just beyond the fence, without any problems.
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