Following Drone Espionage from Rival Team, Canada's Women's Football Coach Banned

The International Football Federation (FIFA) announced that the coach and two members of the technical staff of Canada's women's football team have been sentenced to one year of suspension due to drone espionage against a rival team, and the team will also have six points deducted. FIFA also fined the Canadian Football Federation 220,000 Swiss francs (equivalent to 226,000 USD). The match between Canada and New Zealand in Group A of the women's football tournament at the Paris Olympics took place on Thursday, July 25, where Canada won 2-1. However, according to the Associated Press, a day before this match, two members of Canada's technical staff were arrested while spying on the rival team's training using a drone. According to FIFA's ruling, Beverly Priestman, the head coach of the Canadian national team, along with her two assistants named Joseph Lombardi and Jasmine Mendez, were each sentenced to one year of suspension from football-related activities. Before FIFA's ruling was issued, the Canadian Football Federation had dismissed Ms. Priestman and stated that this espionage against rival teams had likely been systematic over the years. Under the coaching of Beverly Priestman, the Canadian women's football team won the championship at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics. With the deduction of six points from the Canadian team, they are currently at the bottom of their group, although they can still hope for advancement. The Canadian Football Federation has not yet reacted to FIFA's ruling, but according to the Associated Press, this ruling is not final and is subject to appeal.