Canada women handed SIX-POINT deduction for SpyGate scandal… but could still qualify for Olympic knockout stages

CANADA’S women’s football team has been handed a SIX-POINT deduction at Paris 2024 and their coaching staff banned for a year over the drone spying scandal.

But the Olympic champions could still qualify for the knockout stages if they win all three games in Group A and other results go their way.

Canada women were handed a SIX-POINT deduction while coach Beverly Priestman was banned for a year

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But the team could still qualify for Olympic knockout stages after beating New Zealand in Group A[/caption]

Fifa banned three of their coaches for one year each on Saturday.

The stunning swath of punishments included a £200,000 fine for the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA), who were held responsible for not ensuring its staff complied with tournament rules.

Englishwoman Beverly Priestman, Joseph Lombardi and Jasmine Mander are suspended from taking part in any football-related activity for a period of one year.

Manager Priestman – who guided Canada to the Olympic title in Tokyo 2020- was suspended by The Canadian Olympic Committee on Thursday.

The coaches were accused of using drones to spy on first opponent New Zealand’s training before their opening game last Wednesday.

Fifa fast-tracked its own disciplinary process by asking its appeals judges to handle the case.

Priestman and her two assistants “were each found responsible for offensive behaviour and violation of the principles of fair play”.

CSA and its officials have been notified of the terms of the committee’s decision today.

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Priestman, 38, is from Durham and was hired in 2020.

The decision remains subject to a potential appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Canada’s Group A game against New Zealand was allowed to go ahead, with the reigning champions running out 2-1 winners.

The team will be led by assistant coach, Andy Spence.

They play group leaders France on Sunday in Saint-Etienne, before facing Colombia on Thursday in Nice.

With the limited size of the Olympic tournament at 12 teams, eight must advance — which means the top two third-place teams make it to the quarter-finals.