An independent investigation into the Olympic drone-spying scandal surrounding the Canadian women’s soccer coaching staff reveals troubling practices within Canada Soccer, leading to sweeping disciplinary actions. The report shows that “surreptitious surveillance of opponents” was a longstanding issue, predating the 2024 Paris Olympics.
As a result, Canada Soccer has announced that women’s head coach Bev Priestman, assistant coach Jasmine Mander, and analyst Joey Lombardi, who each face a one-year FIFA suspension, will not return to the team. “The three individuals currently suspended by FIFA will not be returning,” Canada Soccer stated, adding that the search for a new head coach will begin shortly.
Lombardi stepped down shortly after the Olympic Games, while Priestman and Mander have remained on paid leave during the review. In a statement, Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue and board chair Peter Augruso acknowledged the investigation’s findings, describing the scandal as “a symptom of a difficult and unacceptable past culture within the national teams.” They noted that while players performed admirably, the management culture over recent years has “fallen short of expectations.”
The investigation is incomplete, as former men’s head coach John Herdman has not provided his testimony. Canada Soccer has opened a separate disciplinary proceeding involving Herdman, citing potential violations of the Canada Soccer Code of Conduct.
While the organization’s leadership has promised further disciplinary actions, Blue and Augruso emphasized that these steps will be handled privately.
Source: Swifteradio.com
