Angry football fans are calling for Canada to be stripped of the gold medal they won in women’s football at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, amid new claims of ‘systemic’ cheating ‘for a number of years’. Canada were plunged into scandal this week when they were caught using a drone to spy on the New Zealand women’s team ahead of their clash on Friday.
Head coach Bev Priestman has been dramatically kicked out of the Paris Games as a result, and assistant coach Jasmine Mander and analyst Joey Lombardi have also been sent home. Priestman has now been suspended and the head of Canada Soccer said he is investigating a potential “systemic ethical shortcoming.”
Kevin Blue, the CEO and general secretary of Canada Soccer, moved to emphasise that none of the players were involved in the cheating scandal. But the organisation has admitted the practice of spying with drones has likely gone on for years.
“At the moment we are trying to directly address what appears to look like it could be a systemic ethical shortcoming, in a way that’s frankly, unfortunately painful right now, but is turning out to be a necessary part of the rehabilitation process,” Blue said. He added that Priestman’s future with defending Olympic champions is: “Pending the outcome of our review of this matter entirely. Upon gathering more information from that review, that will be an additional opportunity to see what steps additionally need to be taken, if any.”
The head of Canada’s Olympic committee said Priestman is “highly likely” to have been aware of the spying practice. Priestman has denied all allegations.
Canadian media outlets are reporting that both of the country’s senior teams – men’s and women’s – have being using drones for years for various means. Officials have pushed back against that allegation, but there has also been an acknowledgement this was not the first drone deployed for spying purposes.
Could Canada be stripped of gold medal from 2021 Olympics?
Canada are the reigning Olympic champions and one of the Matildas’ main rivals in Paris. The Australian team have played Canada three times over the last few months (for three losses), including right before the Olympics in a warm-up match.
Officials have said it’s unlikely Canada will have their gold medal taken away, but acknowledged the triumph will be ‘tarnished’. Canadian Olympic Committee chief executive David Shoemaker said there “appears to be information that could tarnish” the triumph from the Tokyo Games, adding: “It makes me ill, it makes me sick to my stomach to think that there could be something that calls it into question.”
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Blue said he’d received “anecdotal feedback” related to drone use during the men’s team’s run to the semi-finals of the recent Copa America tournament, but said coach Jesse Marsch had only been made aware of it after the event. “I am aware of an instance of attempted drone usage at the Copa America,” Blue said. “I have spoken with our current head coach about the incident after it occurred and I know he denounced it as a practice to his staff.”
Hold the dang phone. Correct me if I’m wrong but doesn’t Canada have to forfeit their gold medal? Happens in track and field all the time. Also, both Men’s and Women’s teams have been using drones for years, is that ultimately why John Herdman left?? pic.twitter.com/vUREUZGcgl
— Phil Perkins (@PhilPerkinsCP24) July 26, 2024
This Canadian women’s national team drone story is not only an embarrassing dark cloud over Team Canada to start the Games it also calls into question everything that Canada Soccer has done over the past 4 or so years. The Gold medal, the WC berths etc. Just a horrible look…
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) July 26, 2024
Well this is embarrassing. The team has to go home… and that previous gold medal … isn’t so shiny anymore. Feel sorry for the athletes who train hard and trust their coaches. But they can’t continue. ⚽️ #Olympics2024 https://t.co/zDd83m4BKf
— Jill Davis (@Jdavis_Halton) July 26, 2024
IOC should strip Canada of the 2020 gold medal
— Simba Walker (@SimbaWalker6x) July 26, 2024
Canada should be stripped of that gold medal from Tokyo and fifa should strip Canada from hosting any game in the upcoming men’s world cup
— Donnie Vincent (@DonnieVincent20) July 26, 2024
Former Canada manager John Herdman said he is “highly confident” there wasn’t any cheating going on during his time at the helm. Herdman was in charge of the Canada men’s team at the 2022 World Cup and the women’s side at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics.
“I’ve always gone into Olympic Games, World Cups, big events, with integrity in mind and the ability to compete at the highest level, following the rules and processes,” he said. “So from my side, I’ll help Canada Soccer where I can with that review.”
with agencies