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

Canada’s Sports Minister Carla Qualtrough said the government was withholding some of Canada Soccer’s funding following a spying scandal surrounding the Olympic women’s soccer team.

Due to a drone spying scandal at the games in Paris, FIFA deducted six points from the team.

In addition, head coach Bev Prisman and two of his assistants were each banned for one year and Canada Soccer was fined approximately $313,000.

Qualtrough says funding “related to the suspended officials” will be withheld for the duration of their FIFA sanction.

She says there is a deeply concerning pattern of behaviour at Canada Soccer.

Two assistant coaches were caught using drones to spy on New Zealand’s training sessions before the teams played their opening match last Thursday.