Canada men's soccer team attempted drone spying at Copa America, Canada Soccer CEO says

The CEO of Canada Soccer says the men's national soccer team "attempted drone usage" during the Copa America tournament that wrapped earlier this month.

Kevin Blue said that it was his understanding it didn't affect competitive integrity but would not offer details as he spoke with media from Paris on Friday.

Asked whether Jesse Marsch, the head coach of the men's national team, was aware of possible drone usage at that tournament in the United States, Blue said he was aware after the fact.

Blue said that Marsch "denounced it as a practice to his staff."

Canada advanced as a guest country to the semifinals of the Copa America, South America's most important soccer tournament, before falling 2-0 to Argentina.

Blue was speaking after the women's team's coach, Bev Priestman, was suspended from the Olympic Games early Friday morning and two staff members were kicked off the soccer team Wednesday following reports a drone was used to spy on New Zealand team practices.

Blue said he's received "anecdotal feedback" about both programs that stretches back years and will require a full investigation.

"As I settle into this new role, the more I learn about this specific matter, the more concerned I get about a potential long-term and deeply embedded systemic culture of this type of thing occurring, which is obviously completely unacceptable," he said.

He defended the players, saying they "have not been involved in any unethical behaviour themselves."