FIFA bans Canada’s Bev Priestman for one year and deducts six points from Olympic team for drone espionage

FIFA suspended Canadian women’s soccer coach Bev Priestman for a year, deducted six points from Canada’s total points tally in the Olympic group stage and fined her on Saturday for flying a drone over New Zealand’s training sessions before the Games began.

The drone user in the incident that sparked a major investigation into Canada Soccer, team analyst Joseph Lombardi, has been suspended for a year, as has assistant coach Jasmine Mander. The chairman of FIFA’s appeals committee announced the decision on Saturday.

FIFA found violations of Article 13 of its Code of Conduct and Article 6.1 of the Olympic Football Tournament Regulations, both of which relate to fair play.

FIFA also pointed out that the decision was made – very quickly – because it would affect the outcome of the ongoing Olympic tournament. Canada in Group A won its opening match against New Zealand 2-1.

DISCLAIMER: The views, comments, opinions, posts and statements of readers and contributors on this platform do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of Multimedia Group Limited.

DISCLAIMER: The views, comments, opinions, posts and statements of readers and contributors on this platform do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of Multimedia Group Limited.