Canada Women’s National Team is currently fighting on all fronts. Aside from contesting in the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024, the Canucks are battling tooth and nail for the 6-point deduction they faced due to the drone spying scandal. The Canadian Soccer Federation has made an appeal against FIFA over its decision and is set to face the apex body in court.

It came via a media release shared by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Tuesday. As compiled by reporter Ben Steiner on X, the Canada Soccer Federation will appeal their punishment at CAS Ad HOC, with the hearing on July 30, 2024. Meanwhile, the final decision will be issued at around midday on July 31, 2024.

Notably, the application has been brought forward by the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canada Soccer. They apparently “seek a decision from the CAS ad hoc Division either canceling or reducing the points deduction.” The release further stated, “The Applicants do not request relief with respect to the one-year suspensions imposed on the officials. The Panel of arbitrators is being constituted.”

This means that the Canadian Federation not only demands justice over the six-point deduction but they are also made an appeal over the lengthy one-year suspensions given to their officials including head coach Beverly Priestman, technical coach Joseph Lombardi, and assistant coach Jasmine Mander to partake in any soccer-related activity earlier in its decision of July 27.

The incident had come to light last week just days before the tournament kick-off. New Zealand reported to French authorities that a drone hovered at their training ground. The drone pilot was detained with a further case holding the Canadian staff guilty of the incident. Even though it has cost them a lot, they aren’t giving up.

While Canada Soccer fights the matters in court, CanWNT keeps the Olympics dream alive

Due to the punishment, CanWNT was forced to begin the group stages with -6 points, a debt which they surprisingly managed to pay in two matches. A 2-1 win was clinched against New Zealand in the opening fixture with the Canadian ladies defeating France yesterday with a similar scoreline. These wins have created a ray of hope for their qualification to the next stage of the tournament.

The French missed their chance to retain their spot at the top of Group A as Colombia secured a 2-0 victory against New Zealand, sliding to second place. Canada, in third with no points, can advance if they achieve their third consecutive win over Colombia. While the win may be difficult, goal differential will be crucial, as Bev Priestman’s side currently has the best goal difference of 2 among Colombia and France.