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Canada's Appeal in Paris Olympics Drone Scandal Dismissed, Six-Point Deduction Stands

Jul 31, 2024, 12:21 PM

The Canadian women's national soccer team is embroiled in a scandal involving the use of drones to spy on opponents at the Paris Olympics, which has led to significant repercussions. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed Canada Soccer and the Canadian Olympic Committee's appeal to reduce a six-point deduction imposed by FIFA. The deduction stems from allegations that the team's head coach, Bev Priestman, was aware of and possibly orchestrated the spying activities. Emails revealed by FIFA indicate that Priestman believed such practices could be the difference between winning and losing and that similar activities were common among top teams. The FIFA report also noted three instances of drone usage and cited a systemic ethical shortcoming within Canada Soccer. Despite the setback, Canada must win their upcoming match against Colombia to advance to the knockout round of the Olympic Games. The Canadian Olympic Committee has expressed disappointment in the CAS decision but commended the players for their resilience. The scandal has broader implications, potentially affecting Canada's reputation as a co-host of the 2026 Men's World Cup.