Earlier on Sunday, the Canadian government said it would withhold funding for women’s soccer officials banned from FIFA.
Carla Qualtrough, the country’s sports minister, said the move to send a drone to monitor New Zealand’s training session was a “fraud”.
She described the issue as “deeply unfortunate” and said it was causing “significant distraction and embarrassment for Team Canada and all Canadians.”
“It is completely unfair to the Canadian players and the opposing teams. It undermines the integrity of the game itself,” Qualtrough added.
“Given that the women’s program receives funding from Sport Canada, we are withholding funding for suspended Canada Soccer officials for the duration of their FIFA sanction.”
Sport Canada is the government-run body that helps fund national peak organizations.
David Shoemaker, executive director of the Canadian Olympic Committee, said Friday that there appeared to be “information that could tarnish the team’s gold medal in women’s soccer at the Tokyo Games.”
This followed Canadian media reports that drones had been used at previous tournaments.
Qualtrough added: “There is a deeply concerning pattern of behavior at Canada Soccer.”
“We must and will get to the bottom of the matter. The Government of Canada will closely monitor the investigation and outcomes of the ongoing Canada Soccer process.”
“In addition, the Commission on the Future of Sport in Canada is underway, which will make recommendations to the government on improvements to the Canadian sports system.”
However, Priestman said in her statement that “despite reports to the contrary, winning the gold medal was achieved through sheer courage and determination.”
Canada, led by assistant coach Andy Spence in Priestman’s absence, beat New Zealand and hosts France in their first two Group A games.
A 2-1 win against France on Sunday night means they stay put Third in the group table with zero points but a win over Colombia in the final group game would ensure qualification for the quarter-finals.
Vanessa Gilles scored Canada’s winner 12 minutes into second-half stoppage time as they beat the hosts in Saint-Etienne to keep hopes of progression alive.
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