Canada's breach of integrity is an attempt to spy was avoidable and unnecessary.
It will take more than just a sorry after two Canada Soccer WNT assistant coaches flew a drone over New Zealand's training camp.
It went from too good to be true, to far from ideal for the Canadian Women’s National team in France in a matter of days. The final stages of preparation to take on New Zealand in the 2024 Paris opening fixture looked different this week.
What happened?
On Tuesday the 22nd of June, a drone was spotted flying over New Zealand’s training camp in Saint-Etienne, the base for both teams in the early phases of these Olympics. Security and French authorities were alerted, promoting an immediate stop to the training session after securing grounds and intercepting the drone. An unaccredited member for the CanWNT staff was detained by police and taken for questioning.
The following day after admitting guilt and verifying the events in a statement, The Canadian Olympic Committee confirmed the operator of the drone was Canada Soccer analyst Joseph Lombardi. He was reporting to assistant coach Jasmine Mander, who was also questioned by police in regards to her involvement. Lombardi faces legal consequences of flying a drone in a prohibited space, which included accepting a suspended sentence of 8 months' imprisonment. Mander was exonerated.
The COC immediately dismissed both assistant coaches from camp, who have been sent home following the incident. CanWNT head coach Bev Priestman voluntary withdrew herself from the game against New Zealand, where assistant coach Andy Spencer will replace her on the sidelines.
New Zealand Olympic Committee lodged a formal complaint against their Canadian counterparts and respective investigations have been launched by the IOC, COC, NZOC, Paris 2024, and Canada Soccer. Additionally, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee will investigate Canada Soccer, opening proceedings against the federation, Priestman, Lombardi and Mander.
Footage obtained by police revealed Lombardi operated a drone to spy on The Football Ferns on July 19th, July 20th, and July 22nd, amounting to five minutes of videos and images. Saint-Etienne prosecutor revealed that only Lombardi viewed and accessed the collected drone footage, but Mander was aware of the analysts’s spying attempt on the 22nd.
Priestman re-irritated taking accountability in regards to everything that happens in camp, but denied directing individuals. Senior player Janine Beckie told on ground reporters, “We’re obviously super disappointed in the events have happened. It doesn’t reflect Canadians or who we are as competitors.”
New Zealand football have also registered a complaint to FIFA and has asked that Canada not be awarded any points if they win the match on Thursday.
SO, why? And what does this mean?
Priestman had plenty of eyes on her going into this summer Olympics following a disappointing 2023 Women’s World Cup campaign, which saw the Canadians get knocked out in the group stages.
Not much later, the English women signed a contract extension until 2027, and the revenge tour was on. That has been haltered now. Details around flying the drone to obtain tactical information are still developing, and the reasons are bound to be revealed given the various ongoing investigations. Yet, it is difficult to narrate a scenario which completely exempts Priestman.
If Priestman is revealed to have had knowledge about the spying and she was indeed complicit, an immediate separation from the program is expected. In that case, continuing a career in coaching is highly doubtful.
Yet, if she really had no knowledge, then there are serious questions surrounding the trust between the coaching group and to which extent has Priestman lost control of her staff. Much easier to figure out is, in both cases, her future with the program is damming and there will be punishments for breaching integrity rules in such manner. The head coach is ultimately responsible for everything that happens in camp, and this incident took place under her watch.
A deep run with strong performances was the expectation of the Canadian team, but what sort of finish will it take for Priestman to save herself from being dismissed? Will a medal around her neck shut down this noise?
New Zealand has not found victory against the Canadians since 1987, are going into Paris without their head coach, and see seven more first-time Olympians than their opposition. So why would Lombardi feel the need to spy, put the entire program at risk, and resort to cheating against a team that statically has the lowest chance of beating Canada this Olympics?
Did Lombardi feel so out depth in his role that he felt the need to jeopardize the entire coaching staff, rather than step down? Was this part of Lombardi’s preparation routine and just happened to get caught this time? Did Lombardi feel a lack trust from Priestman with the duties she handed him? There are a lot of questions, and very few answers as of right now.
What is known about the current case is, it was reckless and dangerous behaviour that was bound to be found out, and thinking otherwise is disc-respectful to the Olympic games, New Zealand and the COC.
Canada found themselves in a perfect position heading into Thursday. A full two-week preparation camp in France hosted two victories against Nigeria and Australia in training match friendlies. During roster selection, Priestman hosted a small camp in Toronto assessing players. This was all following a solid home send-off series against Mexico. Unlike last summer, there was no federation noise, no pay dispute, no condition concerns, and no distractions. Everything was in place.
In some ways, it feels like CanWNT is allergic to calm and sound conditions. Wether that is coming from within camp, like the current situation, or from around camp like last summer, chaos is always right around the corner.
Not at fault for this, are the Canadian players. Though they have not cheated, their preparation phase had elements of breached integrity. The set of CanWNT players continue to be led down by those around them, and it happens to be those closest to them responsible for it this time. Both Lombardi and Mander were at last years’ World Cup, and therefore understand what off-field distraction can do - so why perpetrate it?
Canada’s performance against New Zealand, and more widely this Olympics, will be tarnished, their personal integrity will be called into question and their fair play will be questioned. It is a recipe for disaster.
Something happened that was completely avoidable and unnecessary, brewing more questions than answers. Players cannot be concerned on finding out those answers, as their best interests lie on grabbing a win against New Zealand, looking to go deep into the tournament, and field a fourth consecutive podium finish.