The drone scandal surrounding the Canadian women's soccer team could have bigger implications than this year's. Games in Paris.
Head Coach Bev Priestman She was removed from her post on Thursday night after two staff members were sent home from Paris following an investigation into analyst Joseph Lombardi having used a drone to spy on New Zealand's practice sessions.
Head coach Beverly Priestman reacts during the Women's Gold Medal match between Canada and Sweden on Day 14 of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Yokohama International Stadium on August 6, 2021 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. (Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
“In the past 24 hours, we have received additional information regarding the past use of drones against opponents, ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games,” Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue said in a statement.
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“In light of these new revelations, Canadian Football has made the decision to suspend Women's National Soccer Team Head Coach Bev Priestman for the remainder of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and until our recently announced independent external review is completed.”
The revelation that there may have been unethical recordings of opponents in the past comes amid Canada's quest to defend its title at the Olympics. The women's team won gold in Tokyo and won its opening match against New Zealand on Thursday, before Priestman's ejection.
Priestman, who did not play in Thursday's match, was likely aware of the use of drones, Canadian Olympic Committee CEO David Shoemaker said during a news conference. He also hinted that there could be problems with Canada's gold medal in Tokyo because of it.
David Shoemaker, CEO and Secretary General of the Canadian Olympic Committee, speaks to the media on July 2. (RJ Johnston/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
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“We have gathered additional information that led me to conclude that it was highly likely that she was aware of the incidents that occurred here in Saint-Etienne,” Shoemaker told reporters.
“Now there appears to be information that could tarnish that Olympic performance in Tokyo,” she continued. “It makes me sick. It makes me sick to my stomach to think that there could be anything that would cast doubt on… one of my favorite Olympic moments in history, when the women's team won that gold medal against all odds and amidst COVID restrictions.”
Amid pending investigations by FIFA, the IOC and the Canadian Soccer Federation, officials have not openly expressed a pattern of spying but have pointed to multiple instances.
Team Canada players celebrate after their team's victory in the penalty shoot-out of the Women's Gold Medal match between Canada and Sweden on day fourteen of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Yokohama International Stadium on August 6, 2021 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. (Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
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Blue said there was also an incident involving the men's team at the Copa America. He said he understood it had not affected the competitive integrity of the match, but did not offer details.
He added that the women's team players were not involved in any unethical behavior.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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