Nestled in a valley along the hilly outskirts of this small French town is a modest two-field soccer complex that has become the epicenter of controversy surrounding Soccer Canada’s women’s program.
An analyst who was part of the women’s national team’s coaching staff was caught operating a drone during New Zealand’s training there ahead of the Paris Olympics.
FIFA severely reprimanded the Canadian program over the weekend. The team was deducted six points, Canada Soccer was hit with a hefty fine and three coaches — including coach Bev Priestman — were suspended for one year.
“Fair play is probably the first thing I learned in school about the Olympics,” International Olympic Committee spokesman Mark Adams said at the IOC’s opening press conference before the FIFA sanctions. “Those are the values we live by. That’s why these rules are in place.”
The Canadian Olympic Committee and Soccer Canada have challenged FIFA’s six-point deduction. A hearing is scheduled for later Tuesday before the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s special tribunal in Paris.
A decision must be made before Canada completes its group stage match on Wednesday night against Colombia in Nice.
Several questions remain about the scandal that has rocked the Canadian team, although none of them concern the involvement of the players themselves.
It will take time to get answers. Soccer Canada plans to launch an independent investigation, which will be led by an external firm.
Meanwhile, Canada (2-0-0) will train Tuesday at the Iscles stadium. If the representatives of the maple leaf win against Colombia, then they would receive three points and advance to the elimination rounds of the Olympic tournament.