Sinclair, who captained Canada to the bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympics, has been barred for four matches for comments made about officials during the Games.

"I encourage all Canadians to keep the pride flowing for Christine Sinclair," said Canada's Minister of State for Sport, Bal Gosal, in a media statement.

"I am so proud of our Canadian women's soccer team's bronze medal win at the London 2012 Olympic Summer Games – our first medal in summer team sport since 1936."

FIFA is suspending Sinclair because she displayed "unsporting behaviour" at London 2012.

Teammates and fans have reacted with outrage to the decision saying the sanction was far too harsh.


Sinclair is also being fined for the incident that took place following Canada's controversial 4-3 semi-final loss to the United States when she scored all three Canadian goals.

Afterwards, Sinclair was quoted as saying the team felt "cheated" because of several calls by match officials that the Canadians deemed unfair.

"We feel like we didn't lose, we feel like it was taken from us," Sinclair said moments after the final whistle.

"It's a shame in a game like that, which was so important, the ref decided the result before it started."

So strong is the support for Sinclair, who carried the Canadian flag at the Closing Ceremony, that fans have even set up a Facebook page to help raise money so she doesn't have to pay the fine herself.

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