The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Canada Soccer are appealing FIFA’s six-point Olympics sanction imposed on the national women’s soccer team due to the drone-spying scandal at the 2024 Paris Games. FIFA deducted six points from the team in group play and suspended coaches for one year. The appeal is based on the disproportionality of the sanction, which is believed to unfairly punish the athletes for actions they were not involved in.
A hearing is scheduled to take place on Tuesday at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), with a decision expected on Wednesday. The COC has formally apologized after the New Zealand Olympic Committee reported that its women’s soccer team practice was recorded by a drone in Saint-Étienne.
Despite the controversy, Canada, the defending Olympic champion, has managed to win its first two matches of the Games. They secured a 2-1 victory against New Zealand on Thursday and a 2-1 win over France on Sunday. However, with the points deduction, Canada is currently tied for third place with New Zealand in Group A, trailing behind Colombia and France.
Canada's upcoming match against Colombia at Nice Stadium on Wednesday presents an opportunity for the team to still advance to the knockout stage. The outcome of the appeal will play a crucial role in determining the team's standing and future in the tournament.
