The developments unfolded after Bev Priestman was dismissed as the head coach of Canada’s women’s team for the Olympics, following an incident where a drone was spotted over New Zealand’s training session on Monday.
Priestman, 38, was considered by the head of Canada’s Olympic committee to have been “highly likely” aware of the drone incident, leading to her suspension by Canada Soccer.
Reports indicate that both Canada’s senior teams—men’s and women’s—have used drones for years.
While there has been some resistance to this claim, it is acknowledged that this was not the first instance of a drone being deployed.
Canada Soccer’s chief executive, 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 of it afterward.
“I am aware of an instance of attempted drone usage at the Copa America,” Blue said.
“I have spoken with our current head coach about the incident after it occurred and I know he denounced it as a practice to his staff.”
Blue said there may be a “systemic ethical shortcoming” that needs to be addressed.
Canadian Olympic Committee chief executive David Shoemaker said there “appears to be information that could tarnish” Canada’s women’s football triumph from the Tokyo Games.
Shoemaker said: “It makes me ill, it makes me sick to my stomach to think that there could be something that calls it into question.”
Former Canada manager John Herdman expressed “high confidence” that such practices were not employed during his tenure.
Herdman, who managed the Canada men’s team at the 2022 World Cup and the women’s team at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics, also stated his willingness to cooperate with Canada Soccer’s internal review.
“I’ve always gone into Olympic Games, World Cups, big events, with integrity in mind and the ability to compete at the highest level, following the rules and processes. So from my side, I’ll help Canada Soccer where I can with that review,” said Herdman, who now coaches Toronto FC.
Former Canada striker Christine Sinclair, the world’s all-time leading international goalscorer, said players were never shown drone footage.
“It’s unfortunate that players of our national team had to play through condemnable actions by some of their staff as they attempt to defend our gold medal. Actions players have no control over,” Sinclair said on Instagram.
“I want to be clear that having been a national team player for 23 years, we were never shown or discussed drone footage in team or individual meetings I’ve been present for.”
Stephanie Labbe was Canada’s keeper when they beat Sweden on penalties to win women’s football gold at Tokyo under Priestman.
“If anyone wants to speak about pks [penalty kicks], I studied hard the night before every match,” said the 37-year-old, who retired in 2022, said on social media.
“Watched video of players taking pks in national team and club games. Made my own educated guesses based on that info. No drone footage was watched.
“Do not confuse great goalkeeping with cheating.”
Priestman, who previously served as an assistant coach to Phil Neville with the England women’s team, took over as Canada’s head coach in October 2020, just before the delayed Olympics in Japan.
She “voluntarily” withdrew from Canada’s opening 2-1 win over New Zealand on Thursday, and Jasmine Mander, Priestman’s assistant, along with “unaccredited analyst” Joseph Lombardi, were sent home.
In a statement on Wednesday, Priestman took responsibility for her colleagues’ actions after a scouting report from Lombardi was sent to Mander.
On Thursday, a French court sentenced Lombardi to an eight-month suspended prison term 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 not impose sanctions on the national team players.
“We admire deeply the will and determination of this group,” he said.
“The players themselves have not been involved in any unethical behaviour and frankly we ask Fifa to take that into consideration.”