Government withholding funding 'related to suspended Canada Soccer officials'

Canada sports minister Carla Qualtrough says the government is withholding some of Canada Soccer's funding following a spying scandal involving the Olympic women's soccer team.

FIFA docked six points from the team due to a drone spying scandal at the Paris Games.

It also banned head coach Bev Priestman and two staff members for a year each and fined Canada Soccer around $313,000.

Qualtrough says the funding, which is "related to the suspended officials," is being withheld for the duration of their FIFA sanction.

She says there is a deeply concerning pattern of behaviour at Canada Soccer.

An assistant coach and team analyst were caught using drones to spy on New Zealand's practices before the teams played their opening game last Thursday.

WATCH l Canadian women's soccer team docked points, Priestman suspended by FIFA: