Sport Canada is withholding funding related to the country’s women’s soccer coach, Bev Priestman, and two other suspended team officials, calling the drone scandal which involved the team in a national embarrassment.
Canada lost six points – a major blow to their hopes of retaining the Olympic title won at the Tokyo Games – after it was discovered they had used drones to spy on their opponents. FIFA also banned Priestman and directors Joseph Lombardi and Jasmine Mander from any football-related activities for a year.
“Using a drone to monitor another team during a closed training session is cheating,” said Canadian Sports Minister Carla Qualtrough. said in a statement. “It’s completely unfair to Canadian players and opposing teams. This undermines the integrity of the game itself.
“Given that the women’s program receives funding from Sport Canada, we are withholding funding relating to suspended Canadian soccer officials for the duration of the FIFA sanction.
Related: Canadian spy scandal threatens to tarnish Tokyo football gold
“There is a deeply troubling pattern of behavior at Canada Soccer. We must, and will, get to the bottom of this issue. This issue has caused significant distraction and embarrassment for Team Canada and for all Canadians here in Paris and at home.”
Canada Soccer said it was exploring how it could appeal the six-point penalty imposed by FIFA. The punishment leaves Canada in last place in the group, with three points less, with two matches remaining. They won their opening game, against New Zealand, and have games against France and Colombia ahead of them.
Former Canadian players gave their support to the players.
“Angry. Fuming. Sad. Heartbroken. These players don’t deserve this,” posted former goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe, who helped Canada win gold in Tokyo at X.
“They were let down by many of their own people, not just [the national team] employees. Support these players and all the players who have ever been a part of this program and worked so hard to build it, not tear it down.”
Diana Matheson, who retired in 2020 after 206 games for Canada over a 17-year career, gave her players her full support.
“Like many Canadians, I have been working through a lot of emotions on this story that has become a huge distraction not only for the WNT, but has also diverted attention from the entire Canadian Olympic team,” she wrote. “I’m on the side of the players. I’m with you. Canadians are with you. Last game, next game, every game, we’re right there with you. Take six points from us? All right, let’s take nine.
On Saturday, ESPN reported that US Soccer was aware of Canadian teams trying to spy on American practices. A source told ESPN that US Soccer did not report its concerns to FIFA because the US and Canada, along with Mexico, are co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup.
“It wasn’t worth it with so many bigger problems out there”, the source told ESPN. “But that doesn’t mean it didn’t matter.”
Canada Soccer has been dogged by controversies and allegations for several years. In 2019, the Guardian uncovered allegations of abusive behavior by an elite Canadian coach in 2008.
In February 2023, Canadian players went on strike over salary issues and budget cuts. They were threatened with legal action by Canada Football. In July 2023, a short-term agreement guaranteeing equal minimum wage with the men’s team has been reached, but the long-term agreement remains pending. Canadian men’s national team coach Jesse Marsch is partially funded by the country’s MLS teams.
