2024-07-29 22:24:40
Canada’s women’s soccer team won gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. This time they have come with the goal of winning gold in the Paris Olympics. But they got into a lot of trouble in a drone incident. They were deducted 6 points, three coaches were banned for one year. This is not the end, the Canadian Football Federation has been fined 2,26,000 dollars. In Bangladesh currency that is 2 crore 65 lakh 15 thousand 111 taka.
The incident happened last Wednesday. Canada’s first match at the Olympics was against New Zealand. Before this match, two assistant coaches of Canada tried to learn their strategy by flying a drone on the New Zealand training ground. Which is criminal and violation of fair play rules.
The incident was reported by the New Zealand team. And FIFA took quick action on the allegation of breach of discipline. They quickly investigated and found Canada’s two assistant coaches and head coach Bev Priestman guilty. It also found fault with the Canadian Soccer Association for not forcing staff to abide by tournament rules.
FIFA decided to deduct 6 points from Canada in this incident. Banned two assistants from all football for one year. The Canadian Football Association was fined. Meanwhile, Canada banned the football head coach for 1 year and removed him from the Olympic tournament. He will be banned from all FIFA football for the next 1 year.
Priestman was ousted from the team when the drone spying came to light. And his two assistants were sent home from France.
However, the Canadian team will have the opportunity to appeal against the deduction of points, fines and sanctions in this incident.
Canada played their first match under coach Andy Spence. They beat New Zealand 2-1 in that match.
With 6 points deducted, survival in the Olympics became a bit challenging for the Canadian girls. In that case, they will have to win all three matches in Group ‘A’. Then they can go to the next round as group runners-up with 3 points. They will face hosts France in the second match on Sunday. And on Thursday will fight against Colombia in the last match.
Priestman was appointed as the head coach of the Canadian women’s national team in 2020. In 2021, under his watch, Canada’s women won gold at the Tokyo Olympics. Canada has a contract with Priestman until the 2027 Women’s World Cup.