Off the Pitch

Canada deducted 6 POINTS for drone scandal, head coach receives 1-year ban

PARIS — Canada were deducted six points from the Olympic women's soccer tournament and their head coach Bev Priestman banned for a year, global governing body FIFA said on Saturday, following a drone spying scandal that has tainted their gold medal defense.

Priestman, who has coached the team since 2020, and Canadian officials Joseph Lombardi and Jasmine Mander have been banned from any soccer-related activity for one year for "offensive behavior and violation of the principles of fair play", FIFA said.

Canada points deducted in Olympics

Canada have been spying with drones for years including at 2024 Copa América and 2020 Olympics

PARIS — New information from Soccer Canada showed suspended women's head coach Bev Priestman was likely aware of the drone use that has caused a scandal at the Paris Olympics, Canadian Olympic Committee CEO David Shoemaker said on Friday.

The COC removed head coach Priestman on Thursday after her suspension by Canada Soccer. The decision followed complaints from New Zealand that Canada flew drones over two of their training sessions before the two sides met in their opening Olympic fixture, which Canada won 2-1.

2024 Ballon d’Or odds: Who has the highest chance of taking the award?

The race for the upcoming Ballon d’Or is going to be close.

As anticipation builds for the 2024 Ballon d'Or, the battle for soccer’s most coveted individual award is shaping up to be thrilling. 

After a long 2023-24 campaign, paired with a summer full of international play with the Euros and Copa América, the number of contenders for the award has only increased.

Alex Morgan appears unbothered by Olympic snub on Italy summer vacation with Kelley O’Hara

Plenty of United States women’s national team talk this summer has been around Alex Morgan being left off the Olympic roster. As for Morgan? She’s enjoying the Italian water and sunshine on vacation.

She and former USWNT teammate Kelley O’Hara experienced a double-date getaway to the Mediterranean this July. The two are living their best lives enjoying food and drinks while jumping off boats into the sea.

Fueling America’s greats: Cade Cowell shares his go-to peanut butter smoothie

Smoothies are one of the secret weapons in star athletes’ diets as a healthy smoothie is a great way to start the day and for post-workout recovery.

One of the most common ingredients found in smoothies for athletes are peanuts. From providing sustained energy to aiding in muscle recovery, athletes can always rely on peanuts to aid in their diets.

American soccer star Cade Cowell adds peanuts to his favorite smoothie. Cowell not only represents his nation on the worldwide soccer stage but also plays for one of the biggest and most popular teams in Mexico.

Watch: Korbin Albert still receives hefty number of boos during latest USWNT friendlies

Korbin Albert was given an unexpected start for Tuesday’s United States women’s national team Olympic send-off game vs. Costa Rica. Rose Lavelle was a late scratch due to muscle tightness and head coach Emma Hayes put Albert in the starting XI.

Fueling America’s greats: Helen Maroulis shows off her special smoothie recipe

Recovery is crucial to every athlete whether it’s a star soccer player or a legendary wrestler like Helen Maroulis.

Maroulis is one of the greatest wrestlers in United States’ history with a litany of triumphs, accolades and her iconic first place finish in Brazil in 2016. Part of what comes with being the most dominant wrestlers on the planet is the right fuel.

Smoothies and athletics can go hand-and-hand as they’re quick to make and extremely healthy depending on the ingredients used. One ingredient that athletes can always rely on for recovery is peanuts.

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