Canadian Women’s Soccer Players in the Light of an Incriminating Drone Spying on a Canadian Player and Team Canada’s Olympic Team

“We are contemplating getting to the bottom of this circumstance in a professional and thorough way. And then we will make decisions on what to do about it once we have information that’s been substantiated,” Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue said in a press conferenceFriday.

The women’s coach of the Canadian women’s soccer team was suspended for a year by the governing body of the sport after it was revealed that drones were used to spy on opponents. Two other Team Canada employees were removed and also received a one-year ban.

Canada’s Olympic team, which won a gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, will be eliminated from contention as a result of a deduction of six points from their group stage total.

The decision was issued by the sport’s international governing body, and it follows revelations of espionage that roiled the women’s Olympic soccer tournament, a premiere international event that is second only to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in importance.

On Friday, when the details began to come to light about the spying, the head of the Canadian Olympic Committee, David Shoemaker, said, “We continue to be shocked and disappointed.” He told reporters, “We are very much frustrated as I am certain all Canadians do at this point.”

The scandal began with the arrest of a man in Saint-Etienne, France. The local prosecutor said on two separate occasions, a man linked to the Canadian team “had effectively filmed the closed-door training of the New Zealand women’s team, with the help of a drone,” the statement read.

The footage taken on July 22 show the New Zealand players applying instructions given to them by their trainer, as well as images taken on July 20 — a previously unknown instance that he admitted during questioning — when they were training in the Michon stadium in Saint-Etienne.

An external review on the suspension of Beverly Priestman in Canada’s soccer match against New Zealand during the Paris Games involving the use of drones

Beverly Priestman initially said that she would sit out of the Canada’s match against New Zealand. (Canada won 2-1.)

Canada’s sports minister said the government would not give any more money to three suspended soccer officials related to Team Canada’s use of drones.

Sport Canada, which funds the women’s program, will stop funding three Canada Soccer officials due to their sanctions at the international soccer body.

An external review was launched after Canada Soccer suspended Priestman for the remainder of the Paris Games tournament. Assistant coach Andy Spence is leading the team for the rest of the Olympics.

“This issue has caused significant distraction and embarrassment for Team Canada and all Canadians here in Paris and at home,” Qualtrough wrote. It’s deeply regrettable.

“As events continue to unfold on this issue,” she continued, “I encourage Canadians to cheer on all our incredible Olympic athletes. They have worked hard and deserve our unwavering support.”