Priestman won't return as Canada women's soccer head coach after drone-spying investigation
CBC
The independent report into the Olympic drone-spying scandal involving members of the Canadian women's soccer team coaching staff leaves as many questions as answers.
But it's clear the "practice of conducting surreptitious surveillance of opponents" predated this summer's Paris Olympics.
As a result, Canada Soccer says women's head coach Bev Priestman, assistant coach Jasmine Mander and analyst Joey Lombardi — all serving a one-year FIFA ban for their role in the scandal — will not be back.
"The three individuals currently suspended by FIFA will not be returning," Canada Soccer said in a news release. "The search for a new head coach for the women's national team will commence shortly."
Lombardi resigned shortly after the games. Canada Soccer says it is currently determining the exact nature of Priestman's and Mander's departure. Both were still being paid pending the review.
"The findings of the independent investigator reveal that the incident itself was a symptom of a difficult and unacceptable past culture within the national teams," Canada Soccer chief executive officer and general secretary Kevin Blue and president and board chair Peter Augruso said in a separate statement posted to social media.
"Quite simply, while players on the national teams performed admirably, cultural standards and management of the programs dating back several years fell short of expectations."
The investigation is incomplete in that former coach John Herdman has yet to give evidence, with Canada Soccer saying it "has initiated a proceeding with respect to Mr. Herdman under its Disciplinary Code."
"Potential violations of the Canada Soccer Code of Conduct and Ethics by the former head coach of the men's national team were identified," Canada Soccer said in its release.
Added Blue and Augruso: "With this investigation now concluded, we are in the process of taking disciplinary steps. These actions will be private."
WATCH | Canadian coaches would pressure employees to take part in spying activities:
According to Canada Soccer's Disciplinary Code, sanctions available to a discipline hearing committee range from a written notice of admonishment to a lifetime suspension.
In the interim, the governing body says change is coming in the wake of the independent report by Sonia Regenbogen from the law firm of Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark.
Canada Soccer says it is making organization changes including mandated reporting of unethical behaviour, ethics training for coaches and staff, and the creation of a new independent Audit and Compliance Committee.
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