Canada's 2024 Paris Olympics spygate appeal denied: Explosive Bev Priestman email claims 'all top teams do it'

Canada's appeal against a six-point penalty for its Olympic women's soccer team over an ongoing spy drone controversy was dismissed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Wednesday. The three CAS arbitrators rejected the appeal by the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Canada Soccer after Tuesday's closed-door hearing.

Soccer's world governing body FIFA also reportedly possesses evidence of Canada Soccer's historic use of spying after assistant coach Joey Lombardi was arrested by police in France. FIFA's disciplinary committee is now said to have head coach Bev Priestman's emails and is considering appropriate action with allegations that other top teams do similar.

An analyst for Canada Soccer reportedly emailed Priestman and refused to spy on opponents four months ago with the tactician emailing a human resources consultant for advice: "Seeking your advice and input here regarding this formal email on spying," read the communication per The Sports Network (TSN). "It's something the analyst has always done and I know there is a whole operation on the men's side with regards to it… it can be the difference between winning and losing and all top 10 teams do it."

Although the appeal decision was made with great urgency -- less than eight hours before the Canucks' clash with Colombia at the Paris Games -- the grounds for the decision will published at a later date: "While disappointed in the outcome of our appeal," read a COC and Canada Soccer joint statement. "We commend the players for their incredible resilience and grit over the course of this tournament, and look forward to cheering them on in today's match against Colombia."

FIFA inflicted a six-point penalty on the women's team after a staff member was caught spying with a drone ahead of the opening game against New Zealand. The COC and Canada Soccer asked CAS to annul or reduce the points penalty because it was unfair to punish the players when there is no suggestion that they were involved in their staff's actions.

Canada Soccer has been fined in excess of $300,000 with three staff members including Priestman suspended for one year. The defending Olympic champions must now beat Colombia to have a chance of reaching the knockout phase of the tournament.

The Canadians could make it onto the podium for a fourth consecutive edition after their 2012 and 2016 bronze medals before their gold in Tokyo last time out. On the field, the players have fought back to win 2-1 twice so far against New Zealand and hosts France to stand a chance of advancing having wiped out the six-point penalty.