The Canadian government has decided to withhold funding for the women's soccer officials who were penalized by FIFA due to a drone spying incident at the Paris Olympics. 

The reigning Olympic champions in women's soccer have faced a six-point deduction, while head coach Bev Priestman has received a one-year ban from the international governing body, FIFA. Additionally, Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) representatives Joseph Lombardi and Jasmine Mander have also been barred from participating in all soccer-related activities for a year.

Carla Qualtrough, the sports minister of Canada, labeled the decision to deploy a drone to observe New Zealand's training sessions as an act of "cheating." She expressed that the situation is "deeply regrettable" and has led to significant distraction and embarrassment for Canada and Canadians.

 Qualtrough further emphasized that the actions are "entirely unfair to Canadian athletes and to rival teams," undermining the integrity of the sport.

She stated, "Since the women's program is funded by Sport Canada, we will be withholding financial support for the suspended Canada Soccer officials throughout the duration of their FIFA sanctions.

" Sport Canada is the national organization that provides funding for elite-level national sports entities. 

The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) acknowledged the incident on July 24, revealing a "second drone incident" at a New Zealand practice on July 19.

 Following this revelation, the COC swiftly removed Lombardi and Mander from the Canadian team and sent them home.

 Priestman, who led Canada to gold at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, also stepped down from coaching the July 25 match as a gesture of accountability.