FIFA bans Canada coach from competing, deducts Olympic points in drone scandal

(Photo: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports)

FIFA has banned Bev Priestman from playing Canadian women’s soccer for a year and deducted six points from the team’s Olympic group-stage result for flying a drone over an opponent’s training ground.

Assistant coach Jasmine Mander and team analyst Joseph Lombardi were also suspended for a year, and Canada Soccer was fined 200,000 Swiss francs (about $225,000).

The final two members of staff have already been sent home by Canada, who won the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. It comes after a drone operated by a Canada Soccer staff member disrupted New Zealand’s training session on Monday, just days before the opening match.

Canada beat New Zealand 2-1 on Thursday to claim three points, and Priestman was dismissed as coach before the match.

The loss of points will make it harder, but not impossible, for Canada to advance from the group stage, which also includes France and Colombia. Canada and France will meet on Sunday.

FIFA found that Canada had violated both the FIFA Code of Conduct and Olympic fair play regulations.

Canada Soccer may appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

–Field Level Media