Canada Soccer’s ‘obsessed’ culture of drone spying uncovered by Radio-Canada
Canadian soccer coaches were so ‘obsessed’ with obtaining information about their opponents that they would pressure employees to take part in spying activities, Radio-Canada has learned. Sources within Canada Soccer say the drone scandal at the Paris Olympics was not the first incident.
Drone use started under Herdman?
Blue said on a personal level he felt “disappointment and frustration, like I think many people feel” at the scandal.
The lack of comment from Herdman is perhaps not surprising given information contained in the FIFA Appeals Committee ruling on the scandal suggested drone use started under him.
Herdman took over the women’s team in 2011 and switched to the Canadian men in January 2018. He quit Canada Soccer last August to take over Toronto FC.
Canada Soccer said Herdman was unable to be interviewed by Regenbogen due to scheduling issues. There was more than a three-month window to meet, given Regenbogen was tasked with the review on July 30. She delivered it to Canada Soccer on Nov. 5.
Herdman, who had said he would co-operate with the review, has declined to publicly comment on the drone scandal, citing the “integrity of the investigation.”
But he has repeated that his record was clean at the Olympics and World Cups.
“I can again clarify that at a FIFA World Cup, pinnacle event, Olympic Games, at a Youth World Cup, those activities have not been undertaken,” he said in July. “And I’ve got nothing else to say on that matter.”
Toronto FC issued a brief statement on Herdman’s behalf.
“[Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment] is in receipt of the public report from Canada Soccer today outlining the findings of the external investigation into scouting practices and potential involvement of current members of the Toronto FC staff,” the statement read. “The organization will thoroughly review and process the report’s findings over the coming days. Both MLSE and Toronto FC will reserve any further comment until that review process has been completed.”
An email to Priestman’s lawyer did not produce an immediate response.
The report does clear Blue and Augruso of any knowledge or involvement in the drone use. And it says the Canadian players did not see the footage obtained surreptitiously at the Olympics.
There was another drone incident in June at Copa America that resulted in a member of the Canada men’s team staff having their credential revoked and Canada Soccer being fined. During the ensuing disciplinary process by tournament organizer CONMEBOL, Canada Soccer argued the drone was filming an empty pitch “for the purposes of a motivational and promotional video and did not inappropriately film a training session.”
“I find that the use of a drone at the Copa America tournament was very different to the Paris Olympics drone Incident,” Regenbogen wrote.
WATCH l Herdman denies use of drones:
Former Canada Soccer coach John Herdman ‘highly confident’ teams weren’t involved in spying on his watch
Ahead of a Leagues Cup match, current Toronto FC manager and former Canada Soccer men’s and women’s teams coach John Herdman denied that his teams were involved in spying, saying he is “highly confident that, in my time as a head coach, at an Olympic Games or World Cup, we’ve never been involved in any of those activities.”Drone complaint at Paris Olympics
The report also states that when current men’s coach Jesse Marsch became aware, he told staff that drone filming for “legitimate purposes such as filming the men’s team’s own practice sessions” must be cleared in advance.
The Paris scandal unfolded when New Zealand’s Olympic Committee complained to the IOC’s integrity unit that drones had been flown over a pair of pre-tournament practice sessions ahead of its opening game against Canada.
Mander and Lombardi were sent home immediately. Priestman initially withdrew from coaching the opening game but was subsequently also home by Canada Soccer after more information came to light.
The case was referred to the FIFA Appeal Committee, which banned Priestman and the two staffers from taking part in any football-related activity for a period of one year “for offensive behaviour and violation of the principles of fair play.”
Canada was docked six points at the Olympic tournament and Canada Soccer fined 200,000 Swiss francs ($316,470).
Canada Soccer announced the independent review following that ruling, saying it would “continue to communicate regularly about this issue and take swift, decisive steps to restore public trust.”
Priestman, who took over the Canadian women in November 2020, signed a contract extension through the 2027 Women’s World Cup back in January after previously working on a rolling contract. At the time, Canada Soccer praised her for playing: a pivotal part in the strategic and tactical development of the women’s program.”
Blue said Canada Soccer will be sharing the drone use review material with FIFA.
WATCH l Emails show how an analyst pushed back against spying:
Emails suggest routine soccer spying as Canada’s women advance to quarterfinals
New redacted emails from suspended head coach Bev Priestman suggest drone spying may have been routine practice with one message stating ‘all top 10 teams do it.’ The revelations came as Canada’s women won a do-or-die match against Colombia to advance to the Olympic knockout stage.
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Publish date : 2024-11-12 07:40:00
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