FIFA strips Canada of six points in Olympic soccer, bans coaches for one year in spying scandal

SAINT-ETIENNE, France — An exasperated Vanessa Gilles could barely get the words out when asked how she felt about suspended Canadian women's soccer coach Bev Priestman.

"Lots of emotions," the veteran defender said Saturday. "Lots of work with sports therapists to try to stay calm."

Priestman was sent home earlier in the week due to a drone spying scandal that has rocked Canada Soccer at the Paris Games. The latest body blow for the defending Olympic champs came from FIFA and it was a doozy.

Soccer's governing body docked six points from the team, fined Canada Soccer about C$313,000 and banned Priestman and two members of her staff — Joseph Lombardi and Jasmine Mander — for one year each.

The discipline came after two assistant coaches were caught using drones to spy on New Zealand’s practices before the teams played their opening game last Thursday.

In a joint statement, the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canada Soccer said they were "exploring rights of appeal" related to the point deduction.

“We feel terrible for the athletes on the Canadian women’s Olympic soccer team who as far as we understand played no role in this matter," said COC chief executive officer David Shoemaker.

Canada Soccer was held responsible for not ensuring its staff complied with tournament rules. There is no suggestion that players were involved in the spying.

Priestman, who led Canada to the Olympic title in Tokyo in 2021, already was suspended by Canada Soccer and removed from the tournament. Canadian officials suspect the spying has been systemic for years.

"Cloe Lacasse just played her first Olympic game, had her first Olympic goal and all we're talking about is this (crap), pardon my language," Gilles said. "It's a lot to take in."

The FIFA decision came down after the eighth-ranked Canadians, who beat New Zealand 2-1, wrapped up their late-afternoon training session at Stade Auguste Dury.

The case is likely now heading for the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s special Olympic court in Paris.

That tribunal is set up for urgent hearings and verdicts at the Olympics, such as the coaches and Canada Soccer challenging their sanctions.

“Canada Soccer is disappointed with the impact of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s decision on our athletes," said Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue. "We are exploring options to appeal on the basis that it is excessively punitive towards our women’s national team — who were not involved in any unethical behaviour."

The points deduction, if upheld by CAS judges, does not eliminate Canada from the tournament.

It could mean that Canada must win all three games in Group A and hope to advance with three points to the quarterfinals that start Aug. 3.

Canada plays second-ranked France on Sunday before taking on No. 22 Colombia on Wednesday in Nice.

"This tournament moves so quickly," said Canadian captain Jessie Fleming. "We just don't have time to dwell on our feelings too much. All of my energy and focus is on (the team) and the game tomorrow."

FIFA judges said Priestman and her two assistants “were each found responsible for offensive behaviour and violation of the principles of fair play.”

Acting head coach Andy Spence now leads a coaching staff that has been cut in half. Only assistant coach Neil Wood and goalkeepers/set plays coach Jen Herst remain.

"There's no training for this," Spence said. "I've been asked to lead and that's what I'm going to do my very best capabilities."

Given the compact 17-day tournament schedule, FIFA fast-tracked its own disciplinary process by asking its appeals judges to handle the case.

"They're so many things that are out of our control," said Canada forward Adriana Leon. "What we can do is just perform, play hard and rep the badge as well as we can."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 27, 2024.

With files from The Associated Press.

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