Reigning champions Canada gave themselves a lifeline at the Paris Games on Sunday with a last-gasp 2-1 victory over France and insisted they are not cheaters.
Canada were docked six points – a huge blow to their hopes of retaining the Olympic title they won at the Tokyo Games – after it emerged they had used drones to spy on opponents. Fifa also banned their English coach, Bev Priestman, and the officials Joseph Lombardi and Jasmine Mander from any football-related activity for one year.
Vanessa Gilles, who scored Canada’s winner against France 12 minutes into second-half injury time, said she had nearly broken her hand punching the wall in anger when she first heard of the points deduction. She said the players had played no part in the drone operation.
“We’re not part of any of this, and we’re getting sanctioned as if we just got caught doping,” she said. “We did nothing. We’re just so tired of defending ourselves over something we have no control over.
“We got no advantage. We go out there, we play our hearts out, we work for this all year round, day in and day out. So it’s just the uncontrollables that are the biggest anger and biggest frustration.”
Jessie Fleming, who scored Canada’s first goal on Sunday, said the team’s situation could help bond them together. “It feels like us against the world right now,” she said.
Canada sit third in their group, on zero points, behind Colombia and France after the points deduction. But they can progress to the knockout rounds if they beat Colombia on Wednesday. Canada are also appealing the points deduction.
Earlier on Sunday, Priestman had released a statement apologizing for her part in the drone scandal.
“I am absolutely heartbroken for the players, and I would like to apologize from the bottom of my heart for the impact this situation has had on all of them,” Priestman said. “As the leader of the team on the field, I want to take accountability, and I plan to fully cooperate with the investigation.”
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She added: “I wish I could say more. But I will refrain at this time, given the appeals process and the ongoing investigation.”
Canada goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan said she was unsure if she could forgive Priestman immediately.
“Right now, it’s really tough. It’s a really tough thing to do,” Sheridan said. “Ultimately, she’s a human being, and people make mistakes. I think later down the road we’ll be in a place where we can accept that. But right now, we’re staying in our bubble. We’re not allowing anything in. I think it’s really important. It’s proving to work so far. We’re going to ride it as long as we can, and we’re going to prove some people wrong.”
Source: theguardian.com
