In the wake of the drone espionage controversy, FIFA docks Canada six points in Olympic soccer and bans coaches for a year.

PARIS (AP) — In the wake of a drone spying scandal, FIFA on Saturday suspended three coaches for a year apiece and docked Canada six points in the women’s soccer competition at the Paris Olympics.

The Canadian soccer federation faces a staggering array of penalties, including a fine of 200,000 Swiss francs ($226,000) in connection with a case that escalated during the Summer Games. Prior to their first game last Wednesday, New Zealand’s opponent, two assistant coaches, were observed deploying drones to eavesdrop on their training.

Head coach Bev Priestman was already suspended by the national soccer federation and later kicked out of the Olympic event after leading Canada to the 2021 Olympic title in Tokyo. She will not be allowed to play soccer for a year.

FIFA asked its appeals courts to take up the case, expediting its own disciplinary procedure.

Priestman and her two helpers “were each found responsible for offensive behavior and violation of the principles of fair play,” according to FIFA judges.

Priestman and the Canadian federation now have the opportunity to contest their sanctions before the special Olympic court of the Court of Arbitration located in Paris.

Davis: Incompetent CFL Command Center and new Alouettes QB abuse Roughriders.

Let’s pause for a short while in case the Saskatchewan Roughriders vs. Montreal Alouettes game on Thursday is altered by the CFL’s all-knowing, all-powerful, and impenetrable Command Center.

Is that alright? Are you certain?

With a Command Center gone awry, misapplying rules at random, extending the clock arbitrarily, embarrassing its on-field officials, and confusing the head coaches, Montreal overcame a 20-16 deficit to defeat the visiting Roughriders thanks to the efforts of little-known quarterback Davis Alexander.

It appears to be official; decisions made in the past won’t be altered.

After a week off, the Alouettes were well-rested and moved to 6-1, while the Roughriders, who had only played six days earlier, looked worn out for a tough road game and dropped to 5-2.

Once again, deafening airhorns dominated TSN’s audio broadcast from Percival Molson Stadium, but Alexander surprised everyone by playing a strong second half. He completed his first 12 throws to Reggie White Jr. for 147 yards and two touchdowns. Montreal outscored the Roughriders 17-0 in the second half to overcome a 16-3 deficit.

The defense of Saskatchewan was simply too strong in stopping quarterback Caleb Evans, who was starting in place of the injured Cody Fajardo due to a pulled hamstring. Alexander was given his first playing action of the season by Alouettes head coach Jason Maas, surprising the normally well-prepared Roughriders with his accurate throwing and ability to sidestep a blitz from linebacker C.J. Reavis.

In addition to averaging nearly four turnovers per game, the Roughriders have been giving up the most passing yards and the fewest running yards per game. They intercepted a field goal and recovered one fumble against Montreal, but they were unable to prevent Alexander from taking advantage of their zone coverages. They also failed to intercept a pass.

The Roughriders’ offense got off to a quick start, as they scored a field goal on their first play and a touchdown run in the first quarter from Frankie Hickson, who rushed the ball 14 times for 98 yards in the first half but just four times for 19 yards in the second.

The intense presence of Hickson is bound to spark discussions about whether he should continue to start tailback in place of the rested A.J. Ouellette.

Hold on a minute! We’ve been informed that Ouellette prohibits us from saying that. Must be an order from the Command Center.

There will never be a flawless football play. It won’t ever be flawlessly officiated either. The Command Center wasn’t meant to take over games in an attempt to make everything flawless through constant video evaluations. Instead of making matters worse to the point that it almost ruined a thrilling matchup between the top teams in the CFL, it was meant to swiftly fix only the most glaring errors.

Without all of the needless interruptions, Montreal deserved to win. It was excruciating to watch the last few minutes of the game as the coaches continued asking, “What’s happening?” and get answers from guys with striped shirts and enough earbuds, walkie-talkies, and microphones to launch an Apollo spacecraft.

Riders head coach Corey Mace was reaching for his challenge flag when Mario Alford of Saskatchewan appeared to fumble a punt return in the second quarter. He didn’t have to because the Command Center can evaluate a lot of things without a coach’s challenge, including possession changes.

The Roughriders should have kept possession because Alford was obviously down before he fumbled, according to TSN’s replay.

The Command Center decided otherwise, allowing Montreal to keep the football. In the third quarter, it happened once more with dire repercussions as an Alouette clearly recovered an Alexander fumble after the inexplicable intervention. In spite of the fact that it didn’t appear or sound like a whistle had blown to end play, the first ruling was an incomplete.

Instead of sending the Alouettes to attempt a field goal, the all-pervasive Command Center altered the play call, permitted the forward fumble, and lined them up for a profitable third-and-one gamble. After a touchdown throw at the end of the drive, Montreal led 17–16.

Not much better did the coaches perform.

Mace and Maas both mishandled their challenges on clear calls that were never going to be overturned. Additionally, Brett Lauther’s field goal attempts from 53 and 57 yards were blocked by a crossbar and an upright, costing the Roughriders six points.

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Since taking over for injured starter Trevor Harris (knee sprain), Shea Patterson of the Riders has led his team to a respectable 2-2 record through Saskatchewan’s most difficult stretch. The Alouettes deserve credit for their excellent blitzing and neutralization of Patterson. He’s not flawless, but then, who is?