Football coach likely knew of drone use, says Canadian Olympic chief

New information from Soccer Canada showed suspended women’s head coach Bev Priestman was likely aware of the drone use that has caused a scandal at the Paris Olympics, Canadian Olympic Committee CEO David Shoemaker said.

The COC removed head coach Priestman on Friday after her suspension by Canada Soccer [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/523213/olympics-2024-football-ferns-coach-says-spying-saga-disrupted-his-side. The decision followed complaints from New Zealand that Canada flew drones over two of their training sessions before the two sides met in their opening Olympic fixture, which Canada won 2-1 [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/olympics-2024/523172/olympics-canada-beat-football-ferns-amid-spying-scandal.

Assistant Andy Spence will coach Canada for the remainder of the Games.

Shoemaker also said he was comfortable with Canada’s team remaining in Paris to defend their Olympic gold medal amid rumblings the team should be disqualified over the scandal that has thrust them into an unsavoury spotlight.

After media reports of previous drone use by Canada’s women’s team, including at the last Olympics, he added that the thought of the issue impacting the team’s gold from Tokyo 2020 made him feel ill.

“One of the key pieces of information was the conclusion from Canada Soccer that (Priestman) needed to be suspended based on their accumulation of facts,” Shoemaker said during Canada’s opening press conference on Friday (local time).

“I’ve seen some of the information they have, and we gathered some additional information ourselves that made me conclude that she was highly likely to have been aware of the incidents here.”

Canada Soccer boss Kevin Blue said Friday that there is “anecdotal feedback” related to drone use by the men’s team, including during last month’s Copa America semi-final run and that coach Jesse Marsch was aware of it.

‘Sick to my stomach’

The scandal in Paris has led to angry calls for the Canadian women’s team to be sent home from the Games.

“I’m comfortable with the team competing as it is,” Shoemaker said. “We’ve made decisions as it relates to the ultimate sanction we have, participation on Team Canada here in Paris at the Olympic Games, that we get to nominate athletes and coaches to Team Canada and we get to remove them.

“If more facts and circumstances emerge, we can continue to contemplate further action as necessary. It’s important to me that Canadians’ questions are answered, and so we’re going to continue to do our best to answer those questions.”

Football Ferns’ Katie Kitching in action during the Paris Olympics 2024 Football game between Football Ferns vs Canada at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, in Saint-Étienne, France.
Photo: Copyright © Photosport Ltd 2024
www.photosport.nz

Canadian sports network TSN reported that drone use predated the 2024 Olympics, with two sources with first-hand knowledge telling TSN the team have filmed other opponents’ closed-door training sessions, including during the 2020 Olympic tournament.

“There now appears to be information that could tarnish that Olympic performance in Tokyo, makes me sick to my stomach to think that there could be something that calls into question one of my favourite Olympic moments in history – that women’s team winning that gold medal against all odds, in those Covid restrictions.

“We encourage and I know Canada Soccer will investigate all of this fully, including Tokyo, (and) we’ll not only co-operate fully but more collaborate to make sure they get to the bottom of it.”

Canada beat Sweden in a penalty shootout to claim Olympic gold in Tokyo.

“There is no protest planned, and otherwise we are taking a pass on the opportunity to make any statement on the matter,” Swedish FA spokesperson Fredrik Madenstam said.

Canadian officials said the issue was an opportunity to reinforce their message of fair play.

“While I don’t like any tarnish that surely has resulted already, we must do what’s right,” Shoemaker said. “We’ve been speaking for years now about the importance of winning well, and when we’ve been given a limited opportunity as it relates to the soccer team to send that message, that winning well is the only way, we’ve got to send that message.”

‘Players not involved’

Meanwhile, Canadian players have not been involved in any unethical behaviour, Kevin Blue said on Friday.

“We admire deeply the will and determination of this group,” Blue told reporters. “The players themselves have not been involved in any unethical behaviour and frankly we ask FIFA to take that into consideration.”

“Behaviour in the ethical grey area is completely unacceptable to Canadians … to me personally, it’s completely unacceptable as a leader.”

Canadian media have reported that both of the country’s senior teams have relied on drones and spying for years.

The men’s team qualified for their first World Cup in 36 years in 2022, while the women’s side won the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

Blue added that he had received “anecdotal feedback” related to drone use by the Canada men’s team during last month’s Copa America semi-final run and that coach Jesse Marsch was aware of it.

“I am aware of an instance of attempted drone usage at the Copa America,” he said. “I have spoken with our current head coach about the incident after it occurred and I know he denounced it as a practice to his staff.

“Of course there’s going to be a significant, thorough review as we proceed with the investigation.”

– Reuters