In the news today: Sport court to hear Canada’s appeal in soccer case

Slotted in a valley along the hilly neighbourhoods on the outskirts of this small French city sits a modest two-field soccer complex that became the controversy epicentre for a reeling Canada Soccer program.

A team analyst, part of the Olympic women’s soccer team’s coaching staff, was caught using a drone to spy on New Zealand’s practices at the venue before the start of the Paris Games.

FIFA came down hard on the program over the weekend. Six points were docked from the team, Canada Soccer was fined and three coaches — including head coach Bev Priestman — were suspended for one year.

The Canadian Olympic Committee and Canada Soccer are appealing the point deduction from FIFA. A hearing was scheduled for later Tuesday at the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s tribunal in Paris.

A decision was expected before Canada closes out Group A play Wednesday night against Colombia in Nice.

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