FIFA has handed down severe penalties to Canada in response to a drone spying incident during the Paris Olympics.
Canada has been deducted six points, three coaches, including head coach Beverley Priestman, have been banned for a year, and Canada Soccer has been fined 200,000 Swiss francs ($383,855).
The sanctions come after FIFA found that Priestman and her two assistants were responsible for offensive behaviour and violating principles of fair play. Canada defeated the Football Ferns 2-1 in the tournament opener.
The incident occurred when Canadian staff flew a drone over a New Zealand Football Ferns training session on July 22, with a similar incident on July 19.
The New Zealand Olympic Committee lodged a complaint, leading to the investigation. Canada immediately took responsibility and issued an apology. Two staff members, analyst Joseph Lombardi and assistant coach Jasmine Mander, were sent home. Priestman also acknowledged her responsibility and voluntarily withdrew from coaching the next match to “uphold sportsmanship.” The Canadian Olympic Committee announced mandatory ethics training for their staff in response to the incident.
Image credit: Peter Glaser
