The fallout from the Canadian women’s soccer drone scandal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games continues months after the event’s conclusion.
Canada Soccer announced today that it has officially parted ways with women’s national head team coach Bev Priestman, assistant coach Jasmine Mander, and analyst Joseph Lombardi, all of whom were involved in the scandal.
“The three individuals currently suspended by FIFA will not be returning. The search for a new head coach for the Women’s National Team will commence shortly,” Canada Soccer wrote in a statement today.
Priestman, Lombardi, and Mander are currently under a one-year ban from FIFA team activities after a Canadian drone was spotted spying on a New Zealand training session ahead of a game between the two countries.
“I am absolutely heartbroken for the players, and I would like to apologize from the bottom of my heart for the impact this situation has had on all of them,” Priestman said in a statement back in July. “As the leader of the team on the field, I want to take accountability, and I plan to fully cooperate with the investigation.”
As a result of the scandal, Canada was docked six points in the group stage of the Olympic tournament but still managed to qualify for the quarterfinals by winning all three round-robin games. They were ousted by Germany in a quarterfinal shootout after a 0-0 draw.
The news came following an independent investigation conducted by Sonia Regenbogen of Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark, LLP, into the history of drone use within the national teams, which was believed to first be implemented by former Canada men’s and women’s coach John Herdman.
“The findings of the independent investigator reveal that the drone incident in Paris was a symptom of a past pattern of an unacceptable culture and insufficient oversight within the national teams. This is no longer part of our operations. In fact, the investigation findings strengthen our resolve to continue implementing changes that are needed to improve Canada Soccer, in all respects, and to do so with urgency,” said Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue.
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