LONDON

FIFA, the governing body of soccer, is investigating controversial comments made by the Canadian women’s soccer team after their semifinal loss to the U.S. Monday night.

At this point, it’s unclear if that could mean suspensions for Thursday’s bronze medal game against France.

The Canadians were critical of the work of Norwegian referee Christian Pedersen, including Canadian captain Christine Sinclair, who questioned her integrity.“We feel like we didn’t lose.

We feel like it was taken from us,” said Sinclair, who scored all of Canada’s goals in the game. “It’s a shame in a game like that, which is so important, that the ref decided the result before the game started.”

Said FIFA in a statement: “Following the Olympic Women’s semifinal match between Canada and the USA played at Old Trafford on the evening of 6 August, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee is currently analysing incidents that occurred after the conclusion of the match.

“Further information will be provided only after the Committee are in possession of all the elements of the case.”

That certainly makes it sound like Sinclair or other players could face disciplinary action including being suspended for Thursday’s bronze medal game against France.

Pedersen made a series of controversial calls that led to USA’s 4-3 win in extra time Monday night.

A source with the Canadian Soccer Association said the organization did not expect there to be any sanctions for Sinclair or any of her teammates for their comments critical of Pedersen.

The controversial sequence started with Canada leading 3-2 with about 10 minutes to go in regulation when Pedersen missed what looked like a hand ball committed by the Americans in the their own penalty area.

Shortly after that, Pedersen made an extremely rare call and penalized Canadian goalkeeper Erin McLeod for delay of game when she ruled Pedersen took more than six seconds to put the ball in play.

Pederson awarded the U.S. a free kick and it glanced off Canadian midfielder Diana Matheson and then hit Canadian defender Marie-Eve Nault in the arm while she was in the penalty area.

Pederson then awarded the Americans a penalty kick and star Abby Wambach tied the game.

After the game, Sinclair tweeted from her Twitter account (@sincy12): “I would like to thank everyone back home for all the love and support. It means the world to us all. One more game to get on the podium.”

chris.stevenson@sunmedia.ca

twitter.com/CJ_Stevenson