Canada women鈥檚 coach Bev Priestman, suspended following a drone surveillance scandal at the Paris Olympics, was fired Tuesday following an independent review.
Assistant coach Jasmine Mander and analyst Joseph Lombardi were also fired as Canada Soccer released findings of the investigation.
New Zealand complained about a drone flying over practices before the start of the Olympic tournament, prompting FIFA to fine Canada Soccer $228,000 and . Priestman, Mander and Lombardi were all suspended by soccer鈥檚 international governing body for a year.
Despite the penalty, Canada advanced to the group stage and .
The investigation by attorney Sonia Regenbogen of the firm Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark found no evidence that Canadian players had viewed the drone footage. But it found that assistant coaches and other support staff 鈥渄id not feel they could challenge the authority of the head coach.鈥�
Priestman, who could not immediately be reached for comment, led Canada to the gold medal at the Tokyo Games. The review found that no drones were used in Japan, but that two national team coaches engaged in improper surveillance 鈥減redating the 2024 Paris Olympics.鈥�
鈥淭he 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,鈥� Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue said in a statement. 鈥淭his 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. Even though the independent investigation has been concluded, there is more to be done to set things on a new course.鈥�
The review additionally found that allegations suggesting the men鈥檚 team used drones to spy on an opponent at the Copa America were unfounded. However, it found 鈥減otential violations鈥� by former Canada men鈥檚 coach John Herdman, who was not interviewed because of scheduling issues.
鈥淧otential violations of the Canada Soccer Code of Conduct and Ethics by the former head coach of the Men鈥檚 National Team were identified,鈥� Canada Soccer said in a summary of the investigation. 鈥淧ursuant to the Canada Soccer Disciplinary Code, a disciplinary process is being initiated to adjudicate these potential violations.鈥�
Herdman left Canada Soccer last year and is currently the coach of Toronto FC of Major League Soccer.
鈥淭he organization will thoroughly review and process the report鈥檚 findings over the coming days. Both MLSE (Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment) and Toronto FC will reserve any further comment until that review process has been completed,鈥� Toronto FC said in a statement.
Herdman commented on the matter in July, saying: 鈥淚 can again clarify that at a FIFA World Cup, pinnacle event, Olympic Games, at a Youth World Cup, those activities have not been undertaken.鈥�
