Soccer in Canada: The investigation of a women’s coach, a man arrested for espionage and a female coach using a drone
“There is a deeply concerning pattern of behaviour at Canada Soccer,” Qualtrough said. We need to get to the bottom of this. The government of Canada will closely monitor the investigation and outcomes of the Canada Soccer process that is underway.”
The women’s coach of Canada’s soccer team was suspended by the sports governing body after it was learned they were using drones to spy on their opponents. Two other Team Canada employees were removed and also received a one-year ban.
The team won’t make it out of group play if Canada is punished for accruing 6 points during the Olympics.
The decision issued Saturday by the sport’s international governing body followed 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 went on to tell reporters, “We feel very much frustrated as I’m sure all Canadians do at this point.”
The scandal started when a man was arrested in Saint-Etienne. 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 images and video taken on July 22 show the New Zealand players applying instructions to themselves by their trainer, a previously undisclosed instance that he admitted during questioning.
The suspension of Beverly Priestman in the astrophysical Canada Soccer women’s national team for the remainder of the Olympic Games — the Minister of sport and the FIFA suspension
Beverly Priestman initially said she wouldn’t play in Canada’s match against New Zealand. (Canada won 2-1.)
The amount of funding that will be withheld is being determined by Sport Canada. It’s specifically for suspended Canada Soccer officials.
The minister of sport released a strongly worded statement on Sunday stating that Sport Canada, which funds the womens program, would stop giving money to the three officials for the duration of their FIFA sanctions.
Canada Soccer, which suspended coach Priestman for the remainder of the Paris Games tournament, said it launched an independent external review of the incident. 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 is regrettable.
As the issues that are being discussed unfold, I encourage Canadians to cheer for our Olympic athletes. They have worked hard and deserve our support.