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Earlier on Sunday, Canada’s government said it will withhold funding for the women’s football officials who were banned by Fifa.<\/p>\n
Carla Qualtrough, the country’s sports minister, said the move to send a drone to monitor New Zealand’s training session was “cheating”.<\/p>\n
She described the issue as “deeply regrettable” and said it was causing “significant distraction and embarrassment for Team Canada and all Canadians”.<\/p>\n
“It is completely unfair to Canadian players and to opposing teams. It undermines the integrity of the game itself,” Qualtrough added.<\/p>\n
“Given that the women’s programme receives funding from Sport Canada, we are withholding funding relating to suspended Canada Soccer officials for the duration of their Fifa sanction.”<\/p>\n
Sport Canada is the government-led national body that helps to fund elite level national organisations.<\/p>\n
Canadian Olympic Committee chief executive David Shoemaker said on Friday there appeared to be “information that could tarnish” the team’s women’s football gold medal from the Tokyo Games.<\/p>\n
It followed Canadian media reports that drones had been used at previous tournaments.<\/p>\n
Qualtrough added: “There is a deeply concerning pattern of behaviour at Canada Soccer.<\/p>\n
“We must, and will, get to the bottom of this. The government of Canada will closely monitor the investigation and outcomes of the Canada Soccer process that is under way.<\/p>\n
“The Future of Sport in Canada Commission is also under way which will make recommendations to the government on improvements to the Canadian sport system.”<\/p>\n
However, Priestman said in her statement the “winning of the gold medal was earned through sheer grit and determination, despite reports to the contrary”.<\/p>\n
Canada, led by assistant coach Andy Spence in Priestman’s absence, beat New Zealand to claim three points in their opening Group A game in France.<\/p>\n
Fifa’s sanction, however, leaves them on minus three points with games against the host nation and Colombia to follow.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n