Christine Sinclair Addresses FIFA Suspension

Canadian soccer star Christine Sinclair may not be happy with the suspension she was handed last week, but will accept the penalty. Canada’s captain held a conference call with media Tuesday to address her fine and suspension. Sinclair said that she appreciated the support that she has received and wants to put the incident behind her.

“I’d just like to acknowledge FIFA’s decision and it is my intent to accept it,” Sinclair said. “Ultimately missing a couple of games at the start of 2013, it’s not the end of the world. I just want to move on and allow my team to move on as we prepare for the biggest three years ever in the program’s history.”

The Punishment

Sinclair was suspended four games and fined about $3,100 by FIFA on Friday months after “displaying unsporting behaviour towards match officials” following Canada’s controversial London Olympics semifinal loss to the United States. Sinclair scored three times in that match before a pair of questionable calls by Norwegian referee Christiana Pedersen put the US in a position to tie the match late in the second half.

Canadian goalkeeper Erin McLeod was whistled for holding the ball for more than six seconds, setting up a free kick just inside the box. The ensuing kick hit defender Marie-Eve Nault’s arm, resulting in the game-tying penalty kick from the spot. After extra time settled nothing, the US won the match in penalty kicks. The United States went on to win the gold medal while Canada won bronze with a 1-0 victory over France.

Lashing Out

“We feel like we didn’t lose, we feel like it was taken from us,” the Canadian captain told reporters minutes after the match went final. “It’s a shame in a game like that that was so important, the ref decided the result before it started.” On Tuesday, Sinclair addressed those comments in hindsight. “I don’t regret what I said,” she told reporters. “I was very emotional. It was an emotional time and it got the best of me. I don’t ultimately believe she went into the match hoping the U.S. would win.”

Moving Forward

It doesn’t look as though Sinclair will miss any pivotal matches on Canada’s upcoming schedule. It is assumed she will skip the team’s next round of friendlies. Canada is scheduled to play a tournament in China in January, so it’s possible Sinclair could be back on the pitch not long after that. The Canadian Soccer Association will reportedly pay her fine.