Bandits FC claims that Canada Soccer cost them a shot at the gold medal game due to a late eligibility ruling, which also led to a $2,500 fine.
Bandits FC received the bad news while they were out celebrating before their big gold medal game the next day.
“Around 5, 6 O’Clock, we got a call that we were no longer in first place, as someone had an ineligible player, a different team, and the result ended up with us going to the bronze medal game instead,” explained Thom Findlay, a Bandit FC player.
Every roster is examined by provincial associations before being able to play, and Canada Soccer approved every player, including the bc player who ended up being declared ineligible due to having to be over 35 to play.
“Obviously, a birthdate is a pretty easy thing to check. We figured at least that would be something that’s easy to check during registration or before the tournament started to make sure everyone was the right age, but, apparently, it didn’t come out until all the games were played,” said Findlay.
Canada Soccer revoked that approval and ruled the player ineligible, and removed multiple B.C. results after the group stage was complete. That last-minute move flipped the standings and changed which teams would advance.
“First reaction is, of course, disappointment. Not understanding why, when we took all the necessary steps to ensure that we had submitted all the rosters,” said Trevor Perrault, a Bandit FC player.
What came along with the disappointment was a 7 a.m. bronze medal game the next day that the Banidts didn’t play, resulting in a $2,500 fine.
“After feeling that we were justifiably playing for gold, no longer playing for that right, we didn’t feel that we would be willing to show up to that bronze medal game the next morning. Hence the reason why we reached out in advance to Quebec, just being a professional club and giving a common courtesy and letting them know we won’t be attending that game,” explained Perrault.
The team says that they were hoping that Canada Soccer would reach out and provide them some form of apology.
“We’re both now fathers, we have young children. We were fortunate enough that this event was being held in Winnipeg, in our hometown, we had our parents were once again there to experience that moment, our children, who were ecstatic after a dramatic win, to make it into the finals. And now we are being told we are no longer playing in the gold medal game,” said Perrault.
CityNews reached out to Canada Soccer and the Manitoba Soccer Association for a response, but has not heard back at this time.