Government withholds funds “in connection with suspended Canadian Soccer Association officials”

SAINT-ETIENNE – Canadian Sports Minister Carla Qualtrough said Sunday that the government will withhold some of Canada Soccer’s funding following a spying scandal involving the women’s soccer team at the Paris Olympics.

Their statement came a day after FIFA deducted six points from the team, banned head coach Bev Prisman and two assistant coaches for one year each, and fined Canada Soccer approximately $313,000.

A team analyst was caught using a drone to spy on the New Zealand team’s training before the competition began. The assistant coach he reported to, and eventually Priestman, were all kicked off the Olympic team and sent home.

Qualtrough said that because the women’s program receives funding from Sport Canada, funds “related to suspended Canada Soccer officials” would be withheld for the duration of their FIFA sanction.

A spokesperson for Qualtrough’s office confirmed that the funds in question are earmarked for salaries, but that Sport Canada is still determining exactly how much to withhold. The funds will not impact the overall funds available for the women’s program, it said.

“Using a drone to monitor another team during a closed practice is cheating,” Qualtrough said in the statement. “It is completely unfair to Canadian players and opposing teams. It undermines the integrity of the game itself.”

She added that there was a “deeply concerning” pattern of behaviour at Canada Soccer.

“We must and will get to the bottom of this,” Qualtrough said.

Earlier this week, Canada Soccer announced it would conduct an independent external investigation. CEO Kevin Blue, who has only been in the job for a few months, said he was looking into a possible “systemic ethical lapse.”

The Canadian Olympic Committee said it was currently “reviewing the right of appeal” regarding the six-point deduction. Messages left with the COC and the Court of Arbitration for Sport were not immediately returned.

Although the point deduction did not mean Canada’s elimination from the tournament, it did significantly complicate Canada’s chances of qualifying for the knockout round.

Former Canadian goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe, who helped the team win Olympic gold three years ago, took to social media on Sunday to voice her opinion.

“Angry. Pissed off. Sad. Heartbroken,” she posted. “These players did not deserve this. They were let down by so many of their own people, not just the NT (national team) staff. I stand with these players and every player who has ever been a part of this program and worked so hard to build it, not tear it down.”

The eighth-seeded Canadians were due to play against second-seeded hosts France in Saint-Etienne later on Sunday.

Canada opened the tournament with a 2-1 win over New Zealand. The Group A final will take place on Wednesday in Nice against Colombia.

“This matter has caused significant distraction and embarrassment for Team Canada and all Canadians here in Paris and at home,” Qualtrough said. “It is deeply regrettable.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 28, 2024.

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Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press