Canadian Olympic Committee says spying scandal ‘could tarnish’ women’s Tokyo gold medal

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The drone scandal surrounding the Canadian women’s soccer team could have bigger implications than just this year’s Games in Paris. 

Head coach Bev Priestman was removed from her position on Thursday night after two staff members were sent home from Paris after an investigation found that analyst Joseph Lombardi had used a drone to spy on New Zealand's practice sessions. 

Head coach Beverly Priestman reacts during the Women's Gold Medal match between Canada and Sweden on day 14 of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at International Stadium Yokohama on Aug. 6, 2021 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.  (Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

"Over the past 24 hours, additional information has come to our attention regarding previous drone use against opponents, predating the Paris 2024 Olympic Games," Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue said in a statement. 

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"In light of these new revelations, Canada Soccer has made the decision to suspend Women's National Soccer Team Head Coach, Bev Priestman for the remainder of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and until the completion of our recently announced independent external review." ​

The revelation that there may have been previous unethical recordings of opponents comes amid Canada’s pursuit of a title defense in the Olympics. The women’s team won gold in Tokyo and won their first match against New Zealand on Thursday – prior to Priestman’s dismissal. 

Priestman, who sat out of Thursday’s match, was likely aware of the drone usage, Canadian Olympic Committee CEO David Shoemaker said during a press conference. He also hinted that there could be trouble with Canada’s gold