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Canadian Women’s Soccer Team Faces Allegations of Spying on New Zealand Rivals Using a Drone
In a shocking development at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, FIFA has launched an investigation into the Canadian women’s soccer team following allegations that a drone was used to spy on their Olympic rivals, New Zealand. Head coach Bev Priestman, assistant coach Jasmine Mander, and unaccredited analyst Joseph Lombardi are at the center of the inquiry.
FIFA’s disciplinary committee has initiated proceedings against Canada Soccer and the aforementioned individuals. The controversy stems from accusations that a drone was used to record New Zealand’s training sessions, a move seen as a severe breach of fair play and sportsmanship.
The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) reported two separate instances of drone use, leading to the immediate repatriation of Mander and Lombardi. The scandal has cast a shadow over Canada’s participation in the tournament, especially as they prepare for their opening match against New Zealand.
Priestman, who previously assisted former Lionesses boss Phil Neville, announced her decision to step down from coaching duties for the upcoming match, with Andy Spence stepping in as her replacement. In a statement on Wednesday, FIFA confirmed the initiation of disciplinary proceedings against the involved parties, citing potential violations of Article 13 of the FIFA disciplinary code and Article 6.1 of the regulations for Olympic football tournaments.
The FIFA statement elaborated on the allegations, indicating that a non-accredited member of the Canadian delegation is believed to have used a drone to record the New Zealand women’s football team. The matter will be reviewed by the disciplinary committee in the coming days.
Canada Soccer’s president Peter Augruso and CEO/general secretary Kevin Blue expressed their “unequivocal disapproval” in a joint statement. They announced that Canada Soccer would conduct its independent investigation into the matter.
“On behalf of our federation, we offer our sincere apologies to the impacted players, coaches, and officials,” the statement read. “Canada Soccer has always sought to prioritize integrity and fair competition, and we understand that competing with honesty is a baseline expectation for all Canadians. We failed to meet those expectations in this case, and for that, we apologize.”
The independent review by Canada Soccer will not only address the current incident but also examine the historical culture of competitive ethics within their programs. The findings and any necessary corrective actions will be made public, ensuring transparency.
In response to the scandal, the COC announced that all Canada Soccer staff would undergo mandatory ethics training. Mander and Lombardi have already been sent home, and French authorities detained a non-accredited member of the Canada Soccer support team in St Etienne following a complaint by New Zealand Football on July 22. Further investigation revealed a second drone incident on July 19.
Priestman issued a heartfelt apology, stating, “On behalf of our entire team, I first and foremost want to apologize to the players and staff at New Zealand Football and the players on Team Canada. This does not represent the values that our team stands for. I am ultimately responsible for the conduct of our programme. Accordingly, to emphasize our team’s commitment to integrity, I have decided to voluntarily withdraw from coaching the match on Thursday. In the spirit of accountability, I do this with the interests of both teams in mind and to ensure everyone feels that the sportsmanship of this game is upheld.”
As the investigation unfolds, the scandal has undoubtedly marred Canada’s Olympic campaign, raising significant questions about the ethical practices within their soccer program and the broader implications for international sportsmanship.