At least everyone is settled. A few hours before the verdict of the group stage of the Paris Olympic Games, the Court of Arbitration for Sport has rendered its verdict in the espionage case involving the Canadian team.
Accused of spying on New Zealand’s training before their match, the reigning Olympic champions received a six-point penalty from FIFA, a sanction confirmed by CAS. The Canadians, who won their two matches against New Zealand and Les Bleues (2-1), therefore have only zero points on the board, and must beat Colombia this Wednesday evening to snatch their place in the quarter-finals.
The Blues first in the group?
If this sanction had been lifted, the French team would have slipped to third place in its group. With this verdict from the CAS, the Bleues remain in second place before their match against New Zealand this Wednesday evening in Lyon (9 p.m.). One point is enough for Hervé Renard’s players to ensure their qualification for the round of 16. If the Tricolores get a better result than Colombia (who will face a Canadian team that is forced to win), they will certainly finish in first place in their group.
