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≡ INTEL REPORT ≡
/Updated/Canada Soccer made public a redacted version – sans names – of the report it commissioned on the drone-spying incidents at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, on behalf of its women’s National Team, in advance of its match against New Zealand.
The facts, as already known, were confirmed, that team performance analyst Joseph Lombardi arranged for drone surveillance of two New Zealand practices, with the resulting video viewed by other members of the Canadian coaching staff.
The report stated a belief that this practice had gone on before, as early as 2022, but the names were all redacted. There was a mention that at least some objections to the practice were raised during the 2022-24 period.
Following the release of the redacted report, Canada Soccer fired women’s head coach Bev Priestman (ENG), assistant coach Jasmine Mander and Lombardi on Tuesday. Priestman, who led the Canadian women to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold, finished at 30-11-15 (W-L-T) as coach from 2020-24.
There was an inquiry concerning the men’s National Team, specifically an incident during the 2024 Copa America, played in the U.S.:
“The Men’s National Team was in Orlando, Florida for a portion of the tournament.
“Documentation from a CONMEBOL disciplinary process alleged that a member of the staff used a drone to inappropriately film a training session at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
“Documentation of the incident explained that the drone was caught by detection software and an official from the complex required that the drone be brought down. Security reviewed the drone and found that it did not contain any footage.
“Documentation submitted during the CONMEBOL discipline process by the Men’s National Team argued that the staff member was filming an empty pitch for the purposes of a motivational and promotional video and did not inappropriately film a training session.”
The report also noted that Canadian men’s coach Jesse Marsch (USA) did not approve of any surveillance practices of opponent practices, and opposed them en toto.
What next?
The Canada Soccer statement explains:
● “Potential violations of the Canada Soccer Code of Conduct and Ethics by the former head coach of the Men’s National Team were identified. Pursuant to the Canada Soccer Disciplinary Code, a disciplinary process is being initiated to adjudicate these potential violations.”
● New procedures within Canada Soccer are being implemented, including:
“Contractually mandated reporting of unethical behaviour and new software to facilitate confidential reporting,” “Enhanced education and annual attestation regarding the Code of Conduct and Ethics,” and “Implementation of a new independent Audit and Compliance Committee to oversee organizational compliance.”
Chief Executive Kevin Blue added:
“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.”
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