Court of Arbitration for Sport to hear Canada's appeal in women's soccer case
CTV
Slotted in a valley along the hilly neighbourhoods on the outskirts of this small French city sits a modest two-field soccer complex that became the controversy epicentre for a reeling Canada Soccer program.
Slotted in a valley along the hilly neighbourhoods on the outskirts of this small French city sits a modest two-field soccer complex that became the controversy epicentre for a reeling Canada Soccer program.
A team analyst, part of the women's soccer team's coaching staff, was caught using a drone to spy on New Zealand's practices at the venue before the start of the Paris Games.
FIFA came down hard on the program over the weekend. Six points were docked from the squad, Canada Soccer was given a hefty fine and three coaches — including head coach Bev Priestman — were suspended for one year.
"Fair play is certainly what I learned at school about what the Olympic Games are supposed to be about," International Olympic Committee spokesman Mark Adams said before the FIFA ruling at the IOC's opening news conference. "That's what we appeal for. That's what the rules are there for."
The Canadian Olympic Committee and Canada Soccer are appealing the point deduction from FIFA. A hearing was scheduled for Tuesday at the Court of Arbitration for Sport's tribunal in Paris.
A decision was expected before Canada closes out Group A play Wednesday night against Colombia at Nice Stadium.
Canada Soccer, which has had some funding withheld by the federal government, plans an independent external investigation.
