In the aftermath of the drone scandal that rocked Canada’s women’s national team at the Paris Olympics, Canadian soccer has been left with many unanswered questions.
When exactly did drone usage and spying become prevalent in Canada’s national soccer teams? And who started it?
In July, Canada Soccer committed to an independent review to try to answer those questions. The organization retained Toronto-based lawyer Sonia Regenbogen to primarily focus on actions taken by Canada Soccer representatives related to what occurred at the Paris Olympics after it emerged Canada’s women’s team had flown drones over two New Zealand training sessions. The team was deducted six points but still reached the quarter-finals, losing on penalties against Germany.
Canada women’s national team coach Bev Priestman was suspended in July by FIFA from soccer-related activities for one year.
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Canada’s Olympic soccer spying scandal explained: What we know, who’s involved and what’s next
In conjunction with her suspension, FIFA published an email exchange between Priestman and an unknown Canada Soccer staffer. In the email, Priestman wrote of drone usage: “I know there is a whole operation on the Men’s side with regards to it.”
The independent review will also examine the…
