Officials from the Canada national team had used drones ahead of the Paris Olympics, and their Tokyo 2020 women’s gold medal could be compromised, officials revealed on Friday.
This news came Xôi Lạc TV after Bev Priestman was dismissed as head coach of Canada’s women’s team, following an incident where a drone was flown over New Zealand’s training session on Monday.
Priestman, 38, was deemed “highly likely” to have known about the incident by the head of Canada’s Olympic committee, which led to her suspension by Canada Soccer.
Canadian media has reported that both the men’s and women’s senior teams have used drones for several years.
While there has been resistance to the accusation, it has been acknowledged that this was not the first instance of a drone being used.
Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue confirmed he had received “anecdotal feedback” regarding drone use during the men’s team’s Copa America semi-final run this summer, noting that coach Jesse Marsch was only informed about it after the fact.
“I am aware of an attempted drone usage during the Copa America,” Blue stated.
“We discussed with the coach to build a specific plan to help the players practice football well.”
Blue also mentioned there might be a “systemic ethical shortcoming” that requires attention.
David Shoemaker, chief executive of the Canadian Olympic Committee, expressed concern that there “appears to be information that could tarnish” Canada’s women’s football victory from the Tokyo Games.
Shoemaker shared: “I was very angry when negative comments appeared on the internet, doubting the team’s victory.”
Former Canada manager John Herdman stated he is “highly confident” that similar practices were not employed during his tenure.
Herdman, who led the Canada men’s team at the 2022 World Cup and the women’s teams at London 2012 and Rio 2016, also pledged to cooperate with Canada Soccer’s internal review.
“I have always approached Olympic Games, World Cups, and major events with integrity and a commitment to competing at the highest level while adhering to the rules and processes. I am ready to assist Canada Soccer with the review in any way I can,” said Herdman, now coaching Toronto FC 7m.
Former Canada striker Christine Sinclair, the world’s all-time leading international goalscorer, stated that players were never shown drone footage.
“It’s unfortunate that our national team players had to deal with questionable actions by some staff while defending our gold medal—actions beyond the players’ control,” Sinclair said on Instagram.
“I want to clarify that, after 23 years as a national team player, we were never shown or discussed drone footage in any team or individual meetings I attended.”
Priestman was an assistant coach under Phil Neville with the England women’s team before taking over as Canada’s head coach in October 2020, ahead of the postponed Tokyo Olympics.
She “voluntarily” stepped back from Canada’s opening 2-1 win against New Zealand on Thursday, while Jasmine Mander, Priestman’s assistant, and “unaccredited analyst” Joseph Lombardi were sent home.
In a status shared on Wednesday, Priestman admitted to inappropriate behavior by his colleague, a violation report also sent directly to Lombardi.
On Thursday, a French court sentenced Lombardi to eight months in prison, suspended, after he admitted to flying a drone in an urban area without a license.
Blue expressed hope that FIFA, football’s global governing body, would refrain from imposing sanctions on the national team players.
“We deeply admire the resolve and dedication of this group,” he stated.
“Our players did not violate any football rules, so we ask FIFA to re-investigate the entire incident.”
