FIFA has launched an investigation following Canada's controversial 4-3 loss to the United States on Monday in the women's soccer semifinal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, but not the one you might be expecting. According to Canadian reports, the investigation is not into the numerous questionable calls that went against Canada, but rather into the conduct of Canadian players and coaches following the game.
Among the more inflammatory comments were those made by Canadian forward Christine Sinclair, whose hat-trick performance ended all for naught.
"We feel like it was taken away from us," Sinclair said. "It's a shame in a game like that, which is so important, that the ref decided the result before the game started."
While not quite as accusatory, Canada coach John Herdman didn't pull any punches, either.
"The ref, she will have to sleep in bed tonight after watching the replay," Herdman said. "She's gonna have to live with that. We will move on from this. I wonder if she will be able to."
Norwegian referee Christiana Pedersen has reportedly denied numerous interview requests from journalists in both her home country and abroad. In the meantime, it appears that FIFA is clearly in her corner.
Canadian Soccer Association officials have said they do not intend to protest the result and intend to play in the bronze-medal match against France. It was unclear if FIFA was considering a punishment that would affect that match. Canada has never won a medal in Olympic soccer. Their best finish in the Women's World Cup was fourth in 2003.
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