PARIS – Canadian sports fans in Paris are using words like “embarrassing” and “disappointing” to describe the spy drone scandal that has rocked the Canadian Soccer Federation in the opening days of the Olympics.
Montreal's Jennifer McComb believes the actions of the team's management and coaching staff have cast a shadow over the reigning Olympic champion women's soccer team.
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But she and her friend Tara Mitrovka disagree with the football governing body's decision to strip the team of points, saying it unfairly punishes the athletes.
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FIFA deducted six points from the team, fined the Canadian Football Federation about C$313,000 and suspended head coach Bev Priestman for a year after two assistant coaches were caught using drones to spy on rival New Zealand before the two teams played their first Olympic match.
Chris Young of St. John's, N.L., said he believes the spy drone scandal goes against everything Canada stands for and makes the country look stupid.
But he added that this would not prevent him from encouraging Canadian athletes, particularly during the swimming and beach volleyball events in which he will participate in the coming days.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 28, 2024.
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