CAS Upholds Six-Point Penalty on Canada Soccer

Canada's women's soccer team has faced a significant setback after the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld a six-point deduction due to a drone spying scandal involving their staff spying on New Zealand's practice sessions prior to the Paris Olympics. The penalty, imposed by FIFA, also includes a fine of approximately $313,000 and one-year bans for three team officials, including head coach Bev Priestman. Despite winning their matches against New Zealand and France, the penalty has left Canada with zero points, necessitating a must-win game against Colombia to avoid elimination from the tournament. The scandal has raised concerns about soccer integrity in Canada, with officials admitting that spying was a routine practice for both the men’s and women’s teams. While the Canadian Olympic Committee argued that the penalty unfairly punishes the players, FIFA deemed the actions inexcusable and necessary for maintaining fair play. The appeal dismissal comes at a critical time, as the team strives to defend its Olympic title amidst growing scrutiny and the potential for further investigations.