Canada beat the Football Ferns' in their opening match at the Paris Olympics, but the scandal surrounding the meet is still ongoing. Photo: Arnaud FINISTRE / AFP
A former New Zealand footballer says he expects "heads to roll" within Canadian footballing ranks - including the women's team's head coach - over the Olympic Games drone scandal.
It comes after further sanctions were handed down by FIFA to the Canadian women's football team as the fallout of the cheating saga in Paris continues.
The Football Ferns lost 2-1 to the eighth world ranked Canadians in both teams' opening games hitout on Thursday, a meeting that was overshadowed by controversy even before kick-off.
It was revealed the Canadians were caught monitoring their opponent's training sessions with a drone, an incident that may not have been a one-off as further allegations come to light.
FIFA docked six competition points from the Canadians and suspended the team's head coach Bev Priestman for 12 months.
The Canadian Soccer Association has also been fined 200,000 Swiss francs ($NZ383,855).
On Sunday, both the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) and New Zealand Football commended the "swift action" by the sport's governing body.
But ultimately both organisations remained unsatisfied.
In a statement, the NZOC said the sanctions were a strong signal from FIFA that indicated the significance of the breach.
"We do note, however, that while these sanctions have a punitive impact on Canada, they did not address the direct impact on the New Zealand women's football team."
New Zealand Football also said the "unfair advantage" gained by the Canadians was a matter that was outstanding.
"It's disappointing that New Zealand has been placed in such a position by actions of this nature, that impact the entire tournament, but now our focus is firmly on our remaining games against Colombia and France."
Former All Whites striker Fred de Jong said the penalties handed down were justified.
"I think FIFA has looked at it and said 'we have to come down hard and make an example' so it's a deterrent to other teams.
"It's going to be difficult for Canada to qualify for the knockout phase of the tournament.
"For the players it's a huge blow but it sends a clear message."
Beverley Priestman Photo: AFP
Before Priestman's ban, she removed herself from her side's matchup with New Zealand before the Canadian Olympic Committee ousted her from the event altogether.
De Jong said he did not expect her to be back in the position in the future.
"I'd be very surprised if she holds her job," he said.
"The people involved in the spying shouldn't be involved in Canadian football going forward.
"Especially on the men's side that have done it in the past, if it's found that they've done that, may also find themselves in some hot water.
"I think a few heads will roll and that's what you expect from the Canadian Football Association."
Canadian sport network TSN reported on Saturday that the Canadian men's national team were shown a video of a Honduran training session prior to a World Cup qualifier in September 2021.
De Jong said the latest scandal was both disappointing and head-scratching.
"The main question is why?
"Canada is one of the better teams in women's football and New Zealand's not, so why are you spying on New Zealand?
"It just seems crazy ... for a group stage game that you're expected to win."
The Football Ferns face Colombia in their second group game in Décines-Charpieu on Sunday (3am Monday NZT).
