Sophie Schmidt and Christine Sinclair of Canada's women's soccer team reacts after losing a heartbreaking loss to USA at the 2012 Summer Olympics in Manchester, England, Monday August 6, 2012.Kevin Van Paassen/The Globe and Mail
The Canadian Soccer Association says it could take days before FIFA releases its decision from a disciplinary hearing on Friday that will examine charges of "unsporting behaviour" against Canadian soccer star Christine Sinclair.
"We don't expect to hear from FIFA until early next week," Canadian Soccer Association spokeswoman Michele Dion said Thursday.
If Sinclair is penalized, the penalties could range from a fine to game suspensions, Dion said.
FIFA says its disciplinary committee will examine the charges against Sinclair at a hearing set for 9:30 a.m. on Friday at the world governing body's headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland.
FIFA won't release its findings until after Sinclair and the CSA have been notified of the outcome, a FIFA spokesperson said on Thursday. The spokesperson would not say whether Sinclair would be in attendance.
Canada lost 4-3 to the Americans in a spellbinding semi-final on Aug. 6, with the eventual Olympic champions scoring the winner late in extra time.
Sinclair, whose hat trick gave Canada the lead three times, was quoted saying the team felt "cheated." She directed her anger toward referee Christiana Pedersen of Norway, who awarded the United States a free kick in front of the Canadian goal after calling goalkeeper Erin McLeod for time wasting, claiming she took more than six seconds to put the ball in play.
Sinclair was later selected to carry the flag for Team Canada in the closing ceremonies in London.
The earliest the Canadian women's soccer team will be reunited for a training camp is January, 2013, Dion said.
Currently, the players are scattered around North America and Europe. Some, including Sinclair, are still on a post-Olympic break. A handful of others, including Rhian Wilkinson and Diana Matheson, are playing with clubs in Europe. Desiree Scott is currently vying for a national title with her senior women's club team, the WSA North Stars, at the 2012 National Championships Jubilee Trophy competition in Winnipeg.