Sport Canada is currently withholding funding connected to the women’s national football coach, Bev Priestman, along with two other officials who have been suspended, labeling the drone controversy surrounding the team as a national disgrace.
The Canadian team has faced a deduction of six points – a severe setback in their aspirations to defend the Olympic title they achieved during the Tokyo Games – after it was revealed they employed drones for spying on rival teams. Additionally, Fifa has imposed a one-year ban on Priestman and officials Joseph Lombardi and Jasmine Mander from any football-related activities.
“Utilizing a drone to surveil an opposing team during a private practice is a form of cheating,” asserted Canada’s sports minister, Carla Qualtrough, in a statement. “It is utterly unjust to the players of Canada as well as the rival teams and compromises the game’s integrity.
“Considering that the women’s program benefits from funding provided by Sport Canada, we are temporarily withholding funds related to the suspended officials of Canada Soccer for the duration of their Fifa sanction.
“There is an alarming trend of misconduct at Canada Soccer. We must, and we will, uncover the truth. This matter has inflicted considerable distraction and humiliation on Team Canada, as well as all Canadians both in Paris and at home.”
Canada Soccer has indicated that it is looking into options to appeal the six-point penalty imposed by Fifa. As a result of the sanctions, Canada sits at the bottom of their group with a score of minus three points, despite winning their initial match against New Zealand, with upcoming games against France and Colombia pending.
Former players from Canada have voiced their support for the current squad.
“Furious. Fuming. Sad. Heartbroken. These players do not deserve this,” tweeted former goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe, who contributed to Canada’s gold victory in Tokyo.
“They’ve been failed by many of their own, not just the [national team] staff. I stand with these players and every athlete who has ever been part of this program, who has worked so diligently to build it up rather than tear it down.”
Diana Matheson, a retired player with 206 caps for Canada over a span of 17 years, expressed her full support for the team.
“Like countless Canadians, I’m grappling with various emotions regarding this situation, which has created significant distractions not only for the WNT but has also diverted attention from the entire Canadian Olympic team,” she stated. “I stand with the players. I’m with you all. Canadians are behind you. Regardless of last game or next game, we are right beside you. They may take six points from us? No problem, let’s go for nine.”
On Saturday, ESPN revealed that US Soccer was aware of Canadian teams attempting to gather intelligence on American practice sessions. A source mentioned to ESPN that US Soccer chose not to report these concerns to Fifa since the US, Canada, and Mexico are co-hosting the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
“It wasn’t deemed worth it amidst the plethora of more pressing issues at hand,” the source told ESPN. “But that doesn’t imply it was irrelevant.”
Canada Soccer has faced a series of controversies and allegations over recent years. In 2019, the Guardian uncovered claims of abusive conduct by a top Canadian coach dating back to 2008.
In February 2023, Canada’s women’s players went on strike concerning pay disputes and budget cuts, facing threats of legal action from Canada Soccer. By July 2023, a temporary agreement was reached resulting in minimum equal pay with the men’s team, yet a long-term contract is still unresolved. Additionally, the coach of the Canadian men’s team, Jesse Marsch, receives partial funding from the nation’s MLS teams.
