Canada insist they are not cheaters after beating France to keep Olympic hopes alive

Reigning champions Canada gave themselves a lifeline at the Paris Games on Sunday by beating France 2-1 in the final minute, showing they are no cheaters.

Canada were dropped by six points – a huge blow to their hopes of retaining the Olympic title they won at the Tokyo Games – after it emerged they had used drones to spy on opponents. Fifa also banned their England coach, Bev Priestman, and officials Joseph Lombardi and Jasmine Mander from all football-related activities for a year.

Vanessa Gilles, who scored Canada’s winning goal against France 12 minutes into second-half stoppage time, said she nearly broke her hand angrily punching a wall when she first learned of the points deduction. She said the players had played no role in the drone operation.

“We are not part of this and we are being punished as if we were caught doping,” she said. “We did nothing. We are just so tired of defending ourselves over something we have no control over.

“We don’t have an advantage. We go out there, we play our hearts out, we work on this all year long, day in and day out. So it’s just the uncontrollable things that are the biggest anger and the biggest frustration.”

Jessie Fleming, who scored Canada’s first goal on Sunday, said the team’s situation could help them bond. “It feels like it’s us against the world right now,” she said.

Canada is third in their groupon zero points, behind Colombia and France after the points deduction. But they can advance to the knockout rounds if they beat Colombia on Wednesday. Canada will also appeal the points deduction.

Earlier on Sunday, Priestman apologized in a statement for her role in the drone scandal.

“I am truly saddened for the players and want to apologize from the bottom of my heart for the impact this situation has had on all of them,” Priestman said. “As the leader of the team on the pitch, I want to be held accountable and I intend to cooperate fully with the investigation.”

She added: “I wish I could say more. But I will refrain at this time, given the appeal process and ongoing investigation.”

Canadian goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan said she wasn’t sure if she could immediately forgive Priestman.

“Right now it’s really tough. It’s really hard to do,” Sheridan said. “At the end of the day, she’s human and humans make mistakes. I think we’ll get to a point where we can accept that. But right now, we’re staying in our bubble. We’re not letting anything in. I think it’s really important. It’s working so far. We’re going to keep going as long as we can and we’re going to prove some people wrong.”