It looks like a new “Spygate” could be brewing, this time in the world of women’s soccer.
Canadian coach Bev Priestman was recently sent home from the Paris Olympics amid allegations of using drones to spy on rival teams.
According to Canada Soccer, Priestman was suspended after receiving additional information about “previous drone use against opponents, predating the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.”
Priestman wasn’t the only one facing consequences. Assistant coach Jasmine Mander and analyst Joseph Lombardi were also sent home earlier in the week.
In her place, Andy Spence will step in to coach the team for the rest of the tournament. The controversy began after Canada defeated New Zealand 2-1 in the first round, raising questions about potential spying on New Zealand’s practices.
This situation came to light following a bombshell report from TSN. The report claims that the Canadian coaching staff and contractors have been involved for years in secretly filming the closed-door training sessions of their opponents.
According to multiple sources with direct knowledge, this spying extended back to the women’s gold-medal-winning Olympic tournament in 2021 and a crucial Women’s World Cup qualifier against Panama in July 2022.
The Pressure to Conform
Allegedly, some staff members were pressured into participating in these activities under threat of losing their jobs.
One insider mentioned that people were told to give 110% and that if they weren’t comfortable with the spying, they might not have a place on the team.
This kind of behavior wasn’t openly discussed, and there were few text messages about it due to the sensitivity of the situation.
The discomfort among some staff members was palpable, especially those involved in filming or reviewing the footage.
The Extent of the Issue
The spying scandal wasn’t limited to the women’s team.
Insiders also revealed that staff connected to the men’s national team had filmed competitors’ closed training sessions, including a practice session by the U.S. team before a November 2019 game in Florida. The rationale? To gain insights into formations, starting lineups, penalty kick takers, and set pieces. While some saw this as a competitive advantage, others viewed it as outright cheating.
Historical Parallels
This scandal echoes past incidents in sports history.
The 2007 NFL Spygate scandal, where the New England Patriots recorded the New York Jets’ hand signals, is a notorious example. Coach Bill Belichick faced a hefty fine, and the team lost its first-round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.
Similarly, in 2020, Major League Baseball uncovered a sign-stealing system used by the Houston Astros during their 2017 championship season.
The Astros used a video camera to intercept opposing catchers’ signals, conveying information to hitters by banging on a trash can.
This scandal resulted in suspensions for key figures and tainted the team’s reputation, even after winning the 2022 World Series.
The Road Ahead
As this new controversy unfolds, it’s unclear whether any players were aware of the spying strategy.
The situation has sparked discussions on the ethics of such practices and their impact on the sport.
The implications for the Canadian team and the broader world of soccer remain to be seen.
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