FIFA announced on Saturday that Canada’s Olympic women’s football team has been deducted six points and their coach, Beverly Priestman, has been suspended for one year following a drone spying incident at the Paris Games.
According to FIFA, Canada’s football association violated regulations prohibiting drones over training sites.
In addition to the point deduction, FIFA imposed a fine of 200,000 Swiss francs ($226,000) on the association.
The sanctions severely impact Canada’s bid to defend their Olympic title, which they won at the Tokyo Games three years ago.
As a result of the deduction, the team now sits at minus three points in Group A, ahead of their match against hosts France on Sunday in Saint-Etienne.
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Canada, which won their opening game 2-1 against New Zealand, will need to secure victories in their remaining matches to advance to the quarter-finals.
Analyst Joey Lombardi was sentenced to an eight-month suspended prison term and sent home for operating the drone over a New Zealand training session.
Assistant coach Jasime Mander was also sent home, while Priestman withdrew from the match against New Zealand.
Canada Soccer confirmed on Friday that Priestman’s suspension is effective immediately.
