ParisThe Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Wednesday dismissed Canada’s appeal against the deduction of points from its women’s soccer team at the Paris Olympics over the drone scandal.
FIFA deducted six points from defending champions Canada and banned coach Bev Priestman, assistant Jasmine Mander and analyst Joseph Lombardi from any football-related activities for a year after New Zealand complained that Canadian staff flew drones over their training sessions before the opening match.
“The application submitted by the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canada Soccer concerning the six-point deduction imposed on their women’s football team for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games tournament has been dismissed,” said the CAS, whose detailed decision will be published at a later date.
“The applicants requested a decision from the Ad Hoc Division of the CAS to annul or reduce the deduction of points imposed by the FIFA Appeal Committee in its decision of 27 July 2024 after finding that there had been breaches of the FIFA regulations applicable to the Olympic football tournament concerning the prohibition of flying drones over training venues,” the statement said.
On Monday, Sport Canada said it was withholding funds allocated for the salaries of Priestman and the two other suspended team members, calling the drone scandal that has rocked the Paris Olympic soccer tournament an embarrassment to all Canadians.
Canada won its first two games but is third in Group A with no points after the deduction, behind leaders Colombia and second-placed France, both with three points.
Canada will play Colombia on Wednesday, knowing that only a victory will give them a place in the quarterfinals, while France will face bottom team New Zealand, who must win to have a chance of advancing.
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– 2024-08-01 20:47:31
