Canada's women's soccer team has been docked six points in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris after staff members were found using a drone to spy on an opponent's closed practice session last week, FIFA said on Saturday.
The news means Canada coach Beverly Priestman is suspended for a year. It also means it will be incredibly difficult for Canada — once among the contenders to win gold — to advance out of the group stage, effectively needing to win each of its remaining two contests to have a shot to advance to the knockout rounds.
Two other Canada coaches were banned for one year for the alleged scandal.
Canada saw its odds to win gold plummet from +1400 — good for eighth-best among all teams — to +8000, which is second-worst behind Zambia's +10000.
2024 Paris Olympics USWNT Odds
| Olympic Soccer Team | Odds Before | Odds Now |
|---|---|---|
| USA | +175 | +220 |
| Spain | +200 | +160 |
| France | +450 | +450 |
| Japan | +750 | +1800 |
| Australia | +900 | +2500 |
| Germany | +1000 | +900 |
| Brazil | +1000 | +1400 |
| Canada | +1400 | +8000 |
| Colombia | +2500 | +1200 |
| Nigeria | +5000 | +5000 |
| Zambia | +10000 | +10000 |
| New Zealand | +10000 | +8000 |
Odds are according to DraftKings as of Saturday afternoon.
Canada did take care of business against New Zealand 2-1 in matchday 1, but they'll face their biggest test against France on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET. Canadian women's soccer fans would be rooting for a draw between New Zealand and Colombia to set up a winner-take-all tilt against Colombia in matchday 3.
Meanwhile, in the rest of the odds board, the U.S. has seen its odds plummet after a slow start against Zambia in matchday 1. Despite recovering in the second half to win 3-0, their futures odds have fallen below Spain's. The USWNT are now the second-best favorites at +220 at DraftKings.
