Canadian Women's Football Coach Dismissed Over Drone Scandal

In a significant turn of events for Canadian women's football, the national team coach Bev Priestman, along with two assistant coaches, has been dismissed following a scandal involving the use of drones to illegally film rival practices during the Paris Olympics. This decision was announced by Canada Soccer on Tuesday, marking a pivotal moment in the organization’s commitment to ethical conduct.

The controversy erupted when an investigation revealed that Priestman and her assistant, Jasmine Mander, had not only approved but also directed the actions of another assistant coach, Joey Lombardi, to fly a drone over the closed practices of the New Zealand team. This incident occurred just before Canada faced New Zealand in their opening match, which Canada won 2-1. The findings of the investigation were detailed in a report released by Canada Soccer, which confirmed that the three coaches involved had been sent home and banned for a year by FIFA.

Canada Soccer's statement made it clear that the trio would not be returning to their positions, stating, "The three individuals currently suspended by FIFA will not be returning." The organization is now in the process of searching for a new head coach for the women’s national team, indicating a swift move towards restoring integrity within the program.

Interestingly, the report also highlighted that the Canadian players did not view any of the drone footage, suggesting that the breach of ethics was contained within the coaching staff. Furthermore, the investigation found no evidence of similar surveillance activities during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where the Canadian women’s team achieved remarkable success by winning a gold medal.

In addition to the drone scandal, the report pointed out potential ethical violations by former Canadian men’s head coach John Herdman, which are currently under review. However, it was confirmed that there was no substantiation of drone use by the men’s team during the Copa America.

Canada Soccer's leadership, including CEO Kevin Blue and President Peter Augruso, expressed their unawareness of the drone surveillance and condemned such actions. The report revealed that some staff members felt uncomfortable with the spying but did not feel empowered to challenge the head coach's decisions.

In response to the findings, Canada Soccer's board of directors is implementing new measures to ensure ethical behavior, including mandatory reporting of unethical conduct and ethics training for all coaches and staff. An independent audit and compliance committee will also be established to oversee these changes.

Blue emphasized the need for a cultural shift within the organization, stating, "The findings of the independent investigator reveal that the drone incident in Paris was a symptom of a past pattern of an unacceptable culture and insufficient oversight within the national teams." He assured that the organization is committed to transforming Canada Soccer into a federation that Canadians can trust and take pride in.

This incident serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of integrity in sports. As Canada Soccer moves forward, it is essential for all involved to reflect on the values of fair play and respect for opponents. The hope is that these changes will not only restore faith in the organization but also foster a culture where ethical behavior is the norm, ensuring that future generations of athletes can compete with honor and dignity.