Former USMNT coaching candidate Jesse Marsch addresses Canada drone scandal ahead of USA friendly

Canada's women's national team's attempt to spy on opponents during the Olympics kicked off a wide-ranging Canadian soccer scandal

Canada men's national team head coach Jesse Marsch broke his silence on the drone scandal that has rocked the nation's soccer scene, describing it as a "sad" situation for both the men's and women's national teams.

Allegations that Canadian national teams use drones to spy on their opponents came to light on July 24 when women's national team assistant Joseph Lombardi was arrested by French authorities for flying a drone over New Zealand's training session before the two teams were scheduled to play at the Olympics. FIFA later punished Canada with a six-point ban during the group stage, as well as a year-long ban for Lombardi, assistant coach Jasmine Mander and head coach Bev Priestman.

Marsch, who was hired as the men's national team coach in May, said he found out about the scandal the same way the public did. He was taking time off after Canada's fourth-place finish at the Copa America and traveling to Italy, where he lived before taking the job.