Canada Soccer Banned Over Drone Scandal

FIFA has banned Canada's women's soccer head coach Bev Priestman and two other officials for one year due to their involvement in a drone spying scandal during the Paris 2024 Olympics. The team used drones to observe New Zealand's training sessions, which led FIFA to dock Canada six points in the Olympic football tournament and impose a fine of 200,000 Swiss francs. Assistant coach Jasmine Mander and analyst Joseph Lombardi were also suspended, with Lombardi receiving an eight-month suspended prison sentence. This incident follows previous allegations of similar spying tactics by Canadian soccer teams, highlighting a broader pattern of unethical behavior. The Canadian Soccer Association and the Canadian Olympic Committee have apologized, and further investigations are underway. The sanctions can be challenged at the Court of Arbitration's special Olympic court in Paris.