Canada appealed FIFA’s six-point deduction drone spying scandal in the women’s Olympic football tournament in Paris, and the decision is expected to come hours before the team plays its final group stage match on Wednesday.

FIFA punished reigning Olympic champion Canada on Saturday — and coach Bev Priestman banned and two assistant coaches for a year – accused of using drones to spy on opponents New ZealandThis is the practice.

A lawsuit expected by the Canadian football federation and the Olympic body was officially registered Monday by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in an expedited case.

CAS said it intended to hold an appeal hearing on Tuesday with a three-judge panel delivering its verdict at noon on Wednesday. A ban on coaches is not included in the case.

Canada plays Colombia in Nice on Wednesday evening and will need to know his position before the match kicks off.

FIFA’s point deduction wiped out points earned by Canada after winning its first two matches against New Zealand and FranceCanada stunned France 2-1 on Sunday with a second-half comeback that ended with a game-winner in the 12th minute of added time.

Canada can still qualify for the quarterfinals of the 12-team tournament despite losing on the pitch and winning on the pitch on Wednesday. The two third-place teams in the three groups will advance to the knockout stage.

Canadian officials have said no players were involved in the alleged cheating, which they say has been a systemic problem for years.

Priestman, who has coached the team since 2020, apologized and said he was “very sad for the players.”

The 38-year-old England coach can still appeal to CAS against the FIFA ban imposed on him on an individual basis.

Associated Press report.

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