Kristian Jack on CanWNT drone scandal and what must come next for Canada Soccer

[@thefozzybear]

Eventually Bev Preistman will be fired.

[@izumolee6714]

Well they are doing pretty good without her at the moment while under the interim coach. Man i wonder what Jesse Marsch is thinking right now, he's probably wondering what did he got himself into at Canada Soccer.

[@thefozzybear]

@@izumolee6714 Marsch hasn't used any drones or at least they have no evidence of him using them, so I think he's OK.

[@izumolee6714]

@@thefozzybear I just mean he's now apart of a shady selfish Soccer federation and that's on his resume now. Hopefully Soccer Canada gets cleaned up and those individuals associated with the cheating are rooted out.

[@ldd9672]

She should be coming forward and saying the players didnt know if they didnt…..

[@ianraymondgillespie]

@@izumolee6714 He literally took over the job at Leeds from the last coach - prior to this incident - caught spying in soccer. He was not worried about that making the organization seem shady then and I'm sure he isn't now.

[@goober11]

KJ is spot on. Get sunlight on this shit.

[@SteveChurchman]

You can’t listen to KJ without seeing both his passion and disgust at this situation. 🎯

[@purplerabbit638]

He is spitting nothing but facts.

[@TheGravelBoys]

@@purplerabbit638he’s completely wrong 😊

[@mdhindley]

Which is why I rolled my eyes soooo deeply.

[@4theWINMEDIA]

When I volunteered during the women’s World Cup in 2015, I experienced a few things first hand. I’m not overly surprised right now. KJ had a great assessment. Well done.

[@dgray2833]

very good discussion with focus on the correct points

[@Tony-pk6ql]

So embarrassed as a Canadian football fan. Fire the entire coaching staff, now.

[@geeterdun5966]

I'm getting behind this team. Screw all the "Shame on Canada" wussies. Go watch Vanessa Gilles interview after the game and tell me that didn't pump you up. That was this teams "Phil Esposito" interview moment. They got no sleep the last few days and just beat the second ranked team to erase the -6 points which was complete BS. Get behind these ladies and quit shitting on them FFS.

[@buzzerbeater37]

They aren't shitting on the team, they are shitting on the organization. That's the difference.

[@kamranscent]

Not sure what you talking about, probably they flew drones in copa america even last olympics since coach was playin back then.. only this time they got caught.. and players didnt know about this? huh.. very naive you are.. whether they knew about it or not, they benefited from this cheating.. no one cares about fake medals.. canada needs to deal with this properly.

[@mwrench4185]

@@buzzerbeater37 No, CBC was running around Paris asking people in the street if Canada should be sent home. Absolute disgrace. Didier Drogba actually laughed and said the winning was done on the field. He gets it.

[@TheGravelBoys]

Hey man how do I find this

[@TT-fq7pl]

I've been shitting on this team since 2012 when they showed themselves to be a bunch of whining poor sports. Now this group is heavily linked to cheating. Not getting behind them. Sorry, pal. Not getting behind your boy Poilievre either.

[@markcorner7733]

John Herdman and Bev Priestman are both from the same city in the UK, Consett, Durham.

[@brucewayne3602]

stunning and absolutely brilliant observation ... how was CSA so fortunate --- lol ???

[@paulabell4679]

very well done, with sincerity and canada first. no one comes before our country.

[@gramthefan1.051]

My feeling is that Rick’s reporting is really important, but we really want our team and players supported. When they aren’t the ones cheating they need our support. A lot of the messaging around this has become so negative, but it’s staffers that needs to be dealt with and fixed within our structure. None of this should stop our support or growth of the game. Let’s be as loud with positives as with negatives basically.

[@darrinnoel8781]

I have a lot of respect for KJ , his soccer knowledge is the best , always enjoy his comments , but I disagree in regards to the guilty by association opinion. Like Wheels mentioned these players were put in a position where they can't win. They're expected to trust the coaches , listen to the coaches , work hard at practice , & play hard. If a player suspects possible cheating what are they supposed to do ? , go to the Canada Soccer executives to report it ? , their never going to do that. Drone use to gain an advantage is clearly wrong but the punishment should go to the people who instigated the cheating plan not to the people who had no control in carrying this plan out. A 6 point deduction in the group stage of the Olympics is absolutely harsh , unjust , & cruel towards these players who have dedicated their lives to this sport. Very happy & impressed to see the Women defeat France , was quite inspirational to see how hard they fought. I think they are steaming mad about the whole thing & have developed a chip on their shoulder because of the unjust punishment towards them. It's brought them closer together & inspired them to fight harder then ever before because they are in fact innocent. Not guilty by association , not guilty period !

[@TheGravelBoys]

Incredibly said wow

[@diannaw3034]

Well put!!! 💯🍁

[@Hippiemanthc]

Lmao jacks knowledge of what exactly. He just repeats what he hears.

[@MB-ne8pq]

I agree with some of what you say, but there's another side of it that isn't being discussed enough...what about the New Zealand TEAM (players, coaches, management)? Was it fair to them that they lost to a TEAM (players, coaches, management) who cheated by spying on their closed practices? FIFA's punishment was to the Canadian TEAM ...one or more members of that TEAM ****ed up...its unfortunate that the players are probably just collateral damage with this type of punishment, but that's what happens sometimes to TEAMS...sometimes the bad comes with the good. Personally, I believe what should have been done in terms of FIFA's punishment, is that they should have just awarded the 3 points for the 1st game to New Zealand. I also believe that the reason FIFA may have chosen a harsher punishment, is that Priestman and Soccer Canada appear to have lied about the whole thing right at the onset, trying to pass it off as the actions of a rogue "unaccredited analyst"....which as it turns out, is completely laughable.

[@TheGravelBoys]

​@@MB-ne8pq Yes, the New Zealand team deserves fairness, but the Canadian players-who had no knowledge of the drone incident-don't deserve to be excessively punished either. Awarding New Zealand 3 points and deducting 3 from Canada would have been a fair and proportionate response. A 6-point deduction, however, completely screws over both teams, effectively ending Canada's chances and doing nothing to truly benefit New Zealand. The punishment should fit the crime, and drone footage is a minor infraction compared to doping or in-game cheating. It's laughable to suggest that all the athletes should suffer because of a few individuals' poor decisions. FIFA's overly harsh punishment does more harm than good and fails to address the real issue: holding the responsible parties accountable without destroying the efforts of innocent players.

[@nathalieconnor5803]

What could be valuable intel on a team ranked 28th to a top ten team? It’s just bizarre to me!

[@josephj1973]

The women on the squad are that good. Can't blame the players. Coach already took full accountability

[@nlecco]

Does not matter how valuable the intel was. Canada soccer cheated for so long in this manner it was part of the fabric on how the coaching staff prepared the team. If there is no proper punishment what’s to stop the next coaching staff?

[@lucasfragoso7634]

No to mention the no fly zone over Paris btw....

[@nathalieconnor5803]

@@lucasfragoso7634 They were in St-Etienne, not Paris.

[@CrabbyOldLady]

@@nathalieconnor5803 It's illegal anywhere in France to fly a drone over a group of people.

[@shiladityasircar9814]

Support the team. The bad apples are rooted out. Investigate and do what is needed to eradicate this practice. But man support the athletes... Without a coach, with so much negativity in the air, they still beat the 2nd best team from 1-0 down .. isn't that something to talk about. Let's move fwd ..

[@tdelli3675]

100% they're really smearing the girls by omitting the same enthusiasm when discussing their innocence and all the other teams that do it. These men are wayyy over exaggerating the situation. You don't gain some advantage from watching another teams practice, the team is being smeared by these weirdo drama queens.

[@nlecco]

Canada fans still in denial I see. Sad. You can’t move forward until all of this has been properly rooted out. The program has a huge stain on it.

[@tdelli3675]

@@nlecco In denial! Lol no Canadians know all about the media and how it works so we tend to go off of logic, evidence and facts. Evidence* there's no evidence that the team gained an advantage or even knew. Thay don't have that evidence, that's why they're still investigating. Facts* if you don't have the evidence you should be emphasizing that cheating is alleged until there's sufficient evidence, And fifa shouldn't be punishing the team until they have evidence. Logic* it's reasonable to consider that waching another team practice doesn't actually give you and advantage. It's a rule that was broken (no one has broken down why exactly its a rule) and whoever breaks it should have consequences.But if you don't have evidence that the rule was broken you have no right to do anything. Fifa is aware of many other teams doing this yet they arnt investigating those teams but they jumped to punish the girls before an investigation 🤔 If you don't understand this logic then you cant be helped or you have another agenda like wanting an excuse for your own team losing Or like most media you help create hype and drama for more viewers in womens sports. Womens sports uses drama to get views.

[@tdelli3675]

@shiladityasircar9814 the coach should be punished because theres evidence that shes did the crime. but I won't be bullied in to admitting anything without evidence in regards to the team. I don't apologize to no one unless I know what I'm apologizing for. The coach is an embarrassment, but the team has my support, and SUPPORT ISNT DANIAL! Calling a team cheats because your own team sux is the real denial! 😂

[@GirlBoss-xb2ol]

Good round table. Agree totally.

[@RichardStanczak]

Thanks for having this conversation. This has been an education for me. I am still blown away that this kind of mindset among a sports organization was allowed/enabled for so long. I still cannot believe that there was any advantage gained by this. Not when there is so much actual game video that is available for analysis. It’s a freaking practice! Just stupid.

[@thebaldman72]

I don't know very much about rick Westgate (pardon me if I get his name wrong).. I generally never trust what the media is putting out there. But when KJ speaks, I listen to what he says. A man of integrity and honor.

[@massimoezem]

Agreed, its time for change where integrity is always the top value above winning because if we dont do that then who are we as a nation

[@rikawchu]

Fantastic discussion. Thank you.

[@Statsy10]

I know Rick Westhead is getting a ton of flak for reporting this story. He also broke the story about Kyle Beach and the Blackhawks sexual assault, as well as the multiple sexual assaults that happened under the Hockey Canada banner. These are difficult topics, but unless we shine a light on them they simply continue to fester in the dark. Rick is doing real journalism and our country and world will better off for it. My hat goes off to him.

[@tdelli3675]

@Statsy10 well sexual assult needs more light. People are concerned with how he's delivering the information on this story. You can bring light to a situation without omitting the boring parts like no evidence that the team cheated, or that there's no real reason for the drone rule in soccer in the first place. Lol

[@Statsy10]

@@tdelli3675 There are so many rules in this sport that I hate, but for the love of God, let's not have games being decided by whichever team has done the best drone work! 😂

[@tdelli3675]

@Statsy10 who watched soccer practice the best? Like come on! This isn't "bring it on" lol

[@lazydazey9282]

The New Zealand team was taken advantage of and nobody mentions their situation.

[@Ahmed-p4x4r]

You'd think the Canadians would be smarter than to get caught. It happens all the time. You don't ask your son to buy your coke if you want to keep it from your wife. You think European teams don't reguraly buy competetive advantages. And no one tries to steal signs in baseball. Get over it, but don't F the players. They hardly pay attention to their coach anyway.

[@raylouison7571]

Just like Ben Johnson, there needs to be a Dubin inquiry.

[@jacklaw3962]

And just like history proved with Ben Johnson, we will find out all the teams are spying on other teams in one way or another. They just aren't stupid enough to use drones during the Olympics.

[@mwrench4185]

@@jacklaw3962 Yup, Carl Lewis admitted later he was juiced, still laughing to this day with his medal. Heck, he was even invited to the Opening Ceremonies this year.

[@ScottRandall31]

Turns out, although Ben was crucified, almost every other athlete he ran against was eventually found to be using, too…

[@brucewayne3602]

@@mwrench4185 that behavior defines Lewis --- a massive cheater !!!

[@mikekenney5035]

It is asinine to think that only Canada has ever done this. Canada was inept enough to get caught. That's all. Should they have done it? Absolutely not. Should they be punished? Absolutely. Was a punishment just? No.

[@buzzerbeater37]

That's an entitled comment. Other federations have been punished. What makes us different?

[@mikekenney5035]

@@buzzerbeater37 I think I said that they should be punished, and they have been. I think it was a little extreme.

[@rickb.341]

@@mikekenney5035 nothing extreme about it... they should be kicked off the tourny IMO... and I am Canadian.. can't follow cheaters... any sport any country any game... I would say the same

[@jaytse2269]

Russian athletes are perpetually caught for doping violations and the only penalty they pay as a nation is they can't officially be acknowlegded as "Russia"

[@mwrench4185]

And the only reason they got caught was because of the no fly ban over Olympic sites. Otherwise the French would not have cared. Police were forced to act.

[@hrb250]

Canada media is turning this from a 3 to 10 for clicks. This is a concacaf norm? Yes. If you have played the sport at a high level. you know this makes little to no difference in result. Is this embarrassing? Yes. Is it cheating? Yes. Should Bev lose her job? Yes. Should this be treated like the entire team is on anabolics (which is how it is being treated). No.

[@victoria3241]

Exactly. He's saying everyone's talking about it lol no, only Canada is talking about it and making a stink. The US has made a few short news paragraphs lol social media has made some headlines and the comments are who cares lol

[@larryedwards4557]

Fire the coaches, support the players!

[@brucewayne3602]

bottom line !!!

[@TheGravelBoys]

Sorry KJ I’ve agreed with most things you’ve ever said but guilty by association is not a valid argument here when the players had no control over it to be punished for literally existing. They’d have to not exist to avoid this

[@victoria3241]

Exactly. Being guilty by association is wrong, everyone agrees with that. Being guilty by association should not be acceptable. It happens and it's unfortunate when it cannot be stopped but to say we should make people guilty because of association is just plain wrong and he needs to work on his own morality if that's his belief

[@rickzane6433]

So it is fair if you profit from foul play without your knowledge? So, inadvertent cheating is now acceptable? Good to know.

[@TheGravelBoys]

@@rickzane6433 Your comment completely misses the point. The Canadian players didn’t “profit” from foul play-they were put in an unfair position by a few individuals acting without their knowledge. We're talking about drone footage here, not doping, diving, or cheating on the field to win penalties. This is an incredibly minor infraction compared to actions that directly impact the outcome of the game. Inadvertent cheating isn’t acceptable, but neither is destroying the dreams and efforts of innocent players. The focus should be on holding the right people accountable, not punishing the entire team indiscriminately. Your inability to see the nuance here shows a lack of understanding and empathy.

[@rickzane6433]

@TheGravelBoys so if Canada loses the gold medal match on a set play identified by opponents thanks to drone footage obtained secretly, you'll be ok with that?

[@Canadiangooner1995]

I played D1 footy and lemme tell you they could drone our training all they want, if we are better then another team we weren’t gonna lose. Imagine droning messi’s training at barca and thinking you still have a chance to beat him. They got caught cheating for something that really adds no advantage….

[@Canadiangooner1995]

Side note: also for video review you cannot tell me the Canadian players didn’t find it odd they were reviewing another teams training on aerial camera😂 and saying nothing about it, morals and ethic’s are questionable all around

[@jacklaw3962]

@@Canadiangooner1995 And where has it been disclosed that the Canadian players sat around and watched the aerial footage?

[@TT-fq7pl]

@@jacklaw3962 Yeah, the players never know what the coaches, with whom they work intensely over a long period of time, are doing. Sure. That's credible.

[@ianraymondgillespie]

@@Canadiangooner1995 The only reporting suggesting Canadian players ever saw drone footage is from one incident 3 years ago on the men's team. The accusation at this stage is that coaches reviewed the drone footage, then coached the players and set their match strategies based on what they learned.

[@Canadiangooner1995]

@@ianraymondgillespie thank you for sharing that as I was wondering that, it didn’t seem to make sense unless this was the case!

[@kalafka12]

Maybe theyll talk about the game?

[@ScottRandall31]

Go after the federation/coaches, but leave the players alone. The best point made is that there needs to be change in the organization. PS Which video footage is better to study: game play? Or practice play? The answer is obvious if you ever played any sport. Doesn’t make it right, just makes you question the punishment of having points deducted.

[@brucewayne3602]

shades of Junior Hockey in Canada --- travesty !!

[@nlecco]

When the training your spying on is a session to prepare against your team….that video is valuable. You can see starting lineup, alignments, free kick setup, penalty kick strategy and much more that is specific to the match your about to play.

[@chachingchaching3278]

@@nlecco how fast they can dribble a ball thru pylons

[@juanortiz899]

I admire the devotion to integrity that we demand as a country. I do think we don't need to completely crucify ourselves over this. It feels as if they commited a horrible crime like pedophilia or steroid use in a track event.. Sure it wasn't great. But let's not blow it out of proportion either

[@evangelinestudzinski8442]

KJ is the man. What a disaster… smh

[@brucewayne3602]

he is a disaster !!!

[@pictureofmyjunk2279]

This whole situation is stupidity, arrogance, lack of support, scapegoating and continues to bring out how poor Canada Soccer is at an administrative level. The players on the national team are amazing, the premier league players are amazing (not the level of play, but dealing with adversity). Dealing with the whole role of the CSB and Canada Soccer. This drone thing has been going on definitely from hosting the Women's World Cup. It was rampant there by Canada and other nations. Men's team too are not innocent. Canada Soccer is corrupt at the national level, domestic level, provincial levels, senior amateur level, youth level, and grassroots level. There is no reason why a first world nation that has immigration at a level it has and how many resources from football countries other than corruption. There is no reason for these debacles over the past 5-7 years of Canada Soccer.

[@marktheshark7588]

Agreed on everything you said🎯

[@rolloman667]

Priestman needs to go. You need to be fired. NOW!👎👎👎👎👎👎👎

[@TT-fq7pl]

So this has been going on for years, and you expect us to believe that the players didn't know about it? And, knowing about it, they chose to say nothing (and they're adults, not kids). Ok. But they shouldn't be celebrated for their complicity.

[@TheRumblewagon]

The team would be top of their group if not for the scandal.

[@e1s390]

If they have the guts to cheat, at least have the courage to admit it. These 2-face hypocrites are the so call role model are disgustingly disgraceful.

[@assassssasa]

There needs to be a 30 for 30 on Canada Soccer

[@pictureofmyjunk2279]

@@assassssasa Too short no point. It would have to at least be a 90 for 90 😁

[@willyhwang1059]

im shocked! they really want to win that badly? so they trained hard to want to win at no cost? how rare

[@jacklaw3962]

The CORRUPT FIFA and IOC can't steal this from Canada. Give us back our points! Great win, girls! These women are savage beasts in the most complimentary way. I've never been more proud of our soccer women!!!!

[@danielperusse455]

They gona get that third medal 🥉, make a team mad 😠 and they're gona show 110% on the field

[@TroyQwert]

"Soccer" is slang (derived from "association"), football is official term. Why football shout be the only sport referred to by a slang word?

[@TheGravelBoys]

Thank you for your comment. You know, in light of Canadas Soccer biggest scandal ever and them beating france 2-1 during it, i'm glad you took time to comment on the real issue, people using the word soccer

[@TroyQwert]

@@TheGravelBoys , you're welcome!

[@drewz1111]

The whole world of football has moved on BECAUSE the whole thing is ridiculous.

[@djknox2]

LOL you are so correct. Canada still talks about Ben Johnson, not realizing that we were taken as fools. Many athletes dope.

[@renjiththariath7831]

@@djknox2 Carl Lewis took the gold and he doped at the very same olympics.

[@readinggeo167]

Kristian reflected all of my own feelings on the matter. I've been so torn over who knew what and when etc. While the recent game vs. France was inspiring, I'm reserving judgement until a proper investigation is done. Regardless, cleaning house is the first step, no one in the spotlight has displayed any redeemable behaviour. The immediate punishments are more than just; if they suddenly became more harsh I wouldn't even be mad about it. No one in the org should feel comfortable right now. Personally my future support of this national team is dependent on some major changes, more transparency, more discipline, more individual responsibility in all conduct. Being a fan since my single digits of life, I've never been more dissapointed.

[@Ottletiguy]

Couldn't agree more ☝🏻

[@greglawrence9230]

It's hard not to wonder if/how this ties in with Kevin Blue coming in and cleaning house

[@victoria3241]

KJ should check his morals if he believes its justified to be determined guilty by association.

[@MKK520]

People prefer to watch the second half of Canada women team soccer games, because some of the senior players get permission from former coach assistance to get onto the field and play! Other times most of them are sitting on the bench even players that play in European leagues! In the first half time most junior players are playing and they lose the first half time! The Canada women's Soccer team needs a professional coach the same as the new coach of Canada Men soccer team.

[@murrethmedia]

When I say "This is not what Canada stands for" I'm not trying to say other countries cheat, I'm saying that as a Canadian I want nothing to do with cheating. As for a bunch of morons on Social Media? I can't control them, but I am going to seek out that TSN reporter and send him a message of support.

[@badcodinghabits]

Bit of an overreaction here. Got to keep some perspective... Pretty sure other teams aren't having moral melt downs when they gain an unfair advantage due to hostile fans/diving/bad refs/bags of ****/lasers in eyes/etc. It was stupid, let's move on now.

[@kavk3874]

The difference here is that individuals can do harm and cheat. However, this was pre planned by an organisation and a group of people.

[@PJL-e9x]

if more of you guys stood up for our civil rights as you do for honesty in sports .....

[@brucewayne3602]

Herdman, now Priestman what is next ... appears Canada is unable to make simple correct choices ... massive negativity for players, fans & the quality of the sport in our country ... tragedy over travesty !!!

[@TdotTwiFic]

I want everyone to learn from this situation that you don't trust your boss, coach, coaching staff or federation. You interview them just as much as you get interviewed. You assert and advocate for yourself, for what you are invested in and your passions regardless of revenge and retaliation. Do not trust what is being said and done just because you are told to obey and trust your boss because someone else hired that person as you have no idea their real intentions or if they are being blackmailed based on what they are saying and doing. I am constantly interviewing, reevaluating and judging my management who claim they have the authority.

[@gordonhellowell6559]

Now that KJ’s got that off his chest perhaps they can find time to report on the actual games

[@brucewayne3602]

excellent summation ,,, be calm & rational KJ !!!

[@tehDanielRuiz]

What disappoints me the most are all these alleged "canada soccer fans", who've probably only started watching since the last world cup cycle (ie: because the CAN MNT was actually good for once, but NEVER WATCHED OR SUPPORTED when they weren't achieving the same success in WCQ and actually NEEDED FANS to support them in their lowest of lows), these are the people telling other soccer fans, and soccer experts in this country and sports media members that what Canada did wasn't bad, it wasn't AS BAD as what has previously been done? Nah, that's not sitting right with me. We used to have Canada matches on TSN and SN way back when, and those teams never got the support that they should have gotten from "fans". Now these people are acting like the media is out to break the shield that is Canada Soccer? When the CSA has been a thorn in the side of its own players AND fans for decades? I hope those people go jump in the same box as "hockey fans" who think Westhead breaking the Blackhawks scandal equals an attack on Canadian hockey; because that's what they're acting like right now, trying to downplay the fact that Canada Soccer got caught red-handed.

[@tomharrison6762]

Well said.

[@marktheshark7588]

Exactly🎯👏

[@Stargate294]

Amazing that Canada in the span of less than a decade is carrying around the arrogance of France or Argentina in terms of soccer. I guess we know now in part how they did it.

[@marktheshark7588]

I would say they're more on level of the US and England type of arrogance.But I agree with you.

[@Ottletiguy]

Anyone questioning the punishment.. if it was the US, would you be happy with what FIFA handed out?

[@TT-fq7pl]

The team should have been immediately disqualified. Period.

[@jamescorcoran6179]

If it was US, they would not have had a penalty like this

[@victoria3241]

The US players would not have been punished. Neither would any of the men's football team.

[@TheMur28]

If this had been Argentina, FIFA probably would have awarded them an extra 6 points for their hard work and dedication.

[@logiclust]

is there some rule that one can't fly drones over the competition's training ground? what happened bothers me in no way, shape or form

[@c.d.s.6452]

Why hasn't Priestman been fired??

[@lightsunlimited2562]

So this has been going on for so long and nobody, including the people on this broadcast, knew about it?

[@jayeffsixteen]

We got here via an autonomous flying device of course.. and it was lithium powered

[@Ralph_Smith0724]

*Canada women soccer team won the Gold medal in the last Olympics. The question is: Do the players know about the spying on their rivals? If they did, then FIFA should expelled the whole team from the tournament.*

[@EricLegendary]

Agree , they should be expelled . It is not fair to the other teams that lost to Canada. As to the players knowledge of the spying, they new indirectly.

[@muyashi21]

This is very sad because they represent a whole country

[@EricLegendary]

We are Canada. What should happen now is to own up to what has happened. Say: We cheated, We are sorry and will voluntarily withdraw from the remaining of the tournament. Both won games should be forfeited. This only way we can save face. Lots of you are going to comment that our girls work so hard so it is unfair to them. Maybe. But what about Kiwis, French and the Colombians? Didn't they work hard? God forbids, we win the gold. How can we celebrate this when the whole sports world knows, that we are cheaters? Back home , clean house . Fire Pristman and the whole staff. Go as high as possible. Start fresh. I come from an European country where the soccer federation was corrupted to the bone . I never thought that in Canada is the same shite. Wherever big money is involved corruption exists. Kristian Jack should became president of Soccer Canada. Go Jack!

[@TheGliverpool]

KJ you can’t say that if the coach is doing something unethical and put that punishment on players and label those players guilty is disrespectful and can creates people the environment to sue in court for defamation of character and assassination of character

[@dinksterling]

I think its an absolute disgrace that Canada did this and I feel horrible for our girls and hope that they can push through knowing that the whole country is behind them. On a side not if you think that other countries/clubs don't do something like this is being very naive

[@TT-fq7pl]

First of all, they're women not girls. Second of all, they're women who have spent years with these coaches. You honestly believe that they weren't aware of what was going on? Pretty gullible.

[@dinksterling]

@@TT-fq7pl lol. Somebody is angry at the world.

[@69gvfb]

Im a bit worried if Marsch used any drones during Copa. I'd hate to see him and the mens team sancioned too.

[@marktheshark7588]

Well there's rumors of drones being used during Copa from the Canada camp.Even in the Copa America playoff match against Trinidad&Tobago.

[@marktheshark7588]

Well there's rumors of drones being used during Copa from the Canada camp.Even in the Copa America playoff match against Trinidad&Tobago.

[@djknox2]

Sorry but I just can't get worked up about this. It's almost a nothing burger. Drone footage is virtually useless, and thus it's brain dead to even bother collecting it. Having said that, it is appropriate for FIFA to penalize Canada with a fine, (provided the rules of football state that spying on training camps is punishable by disqualification etc.) and suspend the people in question and the Manager. But -6 points is a ridiculous action to take. In the Copa America Argentina takes an extra 7 min at half time to rest Messi and watch extra footage and make extra strategic plans. The result from Fifa? A fine and a 1 match suspension for the manager. No forfeit or points deducted. Uruguayan players climb into the stands and punch fans 3 days before the Bronze Medal match and what did we get from FIFA? Crickets. Suspensions and fines will be levied AFTER Uruguay takes to the field 3 days later without any repercussions. I would like to hear how KJ thinks a 6 point penalty is inline with the history of FIFA disciplinary actions? Sorry but this reminds me of Ben Johnson - who was hung out to dry while MANY athletes were doping. I'd also like to hear what KJ thinks if France was caught doing the same thing? I'd bet my house it wouldn't result in a 6 pt penalty. Canadian officials need to be play big league: accept the fines and suspensions but push hard back against a 6 point penalty.

[@diannaw3034]

Agreed!

[@ScottRandall31]

This comment is better than, and more spot on than this podcast.

[@pictureofmyjunk2279]

@@djknox2 This is exactly Ben Johnson 2.0

[@djknox2]

@@pictureofmyjunk2279 Yes. And this time Canada should tell the IOC/FIFA to get their shit together in clearly delineating what will and will not be tolerable rather than scapegoating Canada for their own failures. For all those clutching their pearls, I consider this to be the same as driving 120 km/hr on the QEW or 401. Everyone does it because it's reasonable to do so. Don't stop me and suspend my DL over it. If 120 is truly unsafe, then enforce it across the board. Otherwise, raise the speed limit to what is more pragmatic. Opposition research is normal. If drone use is beyond the pale, then make that very clear and hit every team that does it equally. Docking the team 6 pts is BS.

[@pictureofmyjunk2279]

@@djknox2 All that is true but corruption is what runs the sport. The six points is ridiculous. The drones only affected one game, a reasonable punishment would be three at most. The selection of the countries is a joke, no England? International football is a joke, meaningless games/tournaments and not even the best countries fully represented, no offseason, bribes in selection of host cities and rules only to make $$$ and diminish the quality of competition. All this makes this drone thing a small part of what is wrong with FIFA.

[@zackq8865]

You mean Canadian football to the man on the left.

[@AftStrut]

Apparently, many people outside of the team knew about this according to reports but no one said anything, no one did anything about it. If others in knew about it then the players had to have known or heard too from people talking about it. The players gained a competitive advantage from the intelligence that was gathered. Knowingly or not they're involved. This is just the top of iceberg. Only a hard line has to be drawn here.

[@ianraymondgillespie]

There are no reports of people outside the team knowing about it. The reports are all based on current and former employees of coaching staff.

[@AftStrut]

@@ianraymondgillespie TSN reporter reported there was a lot of snickering by people in the sport when Bev Priestman said she didn't know anything about the drone. People in the sport in the US said it was it was well known. Canada had been fined years ago for it. So until the investigation is completed its a fair statement.

[@nathalieconnor5803]

@@AftStrutWhen and which team specifically was fined. I am only aware of a European team having been fined…

[@AftStrut]

@@nathalieconnor5803 correction they weren't fine. A complaint against the Canadian women’s national team for filming an opponent’s training session was made at the 2022 CONCACAF W Championship.

[@pcoleman1971]

Canada Soccer is mis-managed! I'm shocked! Shocked I tell you! Well, not really. 😄

[@JohnStrikwerda]

KJ had me until he went on about the people commenting, “this is not Canada”. Didn’t get that. I will die on the hill… those coaches weren’t Canadian. And these actions weren’t Canadian. I’m glad they found out. I think all those coaches should be disciplined, even if they coach an MLS team now. But this is not what Canada is about.

[@diannaw3034]

I know... lol... the coaches are from the same town in the UK.. and KJ himself is from the UK!!! Hmmm... 🤔🙄🤔

[@brucewayne3602]

absolutely but CSA hired Priestman and Herdman from the same town in UK --- see above ... above all the players should not be punished - they are innocent !!!

[@ldd9672]

Wheres the coach why isnt she saying the girls didnt know….. if she so worried about protecting herself?

[@dag6]

Well done guys

[@josephj1973]

I feel bad for the innocent players on the women's national team who had nothing to do with the cheating. Unfortunately everyone is "painted with the same brush" in these situations. 🇨🇦🦖

[@dennisnguyen8105]

I hope people know this very robust research. People in leadership position, the higher the level, the better they are at lying.

[@brucewayne3602]

far too common

[@Rayseagate]

This is an unacceptable behavior from the Canadian team. What a shame!

[@987GeorgeMr]

This scandal marks the end of Herman's episode. Canadian are done with you guys. It is disgrace. Both Herman and Prismanb did horrible job in last WCs Shame

[@HunRockRocks]

Who is Herman?

[@jameskellough9671]

There are reasons for Canadian soccer fans to dislike Westhead but this isn't one of them. He didn't even break this story! He, like the thousands of other media outlets, simply picked it up when the French police announced the violations and arrest; so folks need to stop giving him credit here and stop tormenting him for something he's got nothing to do with. If you're going to be upset with Rick, be upset with him for a legitimate reason like his manipulative propaganda about the CSB deal and failure to report the history leading to its creation.

[@ossimerofareth]

No. If for no other reason than the cheating worldwide that's been prevalent in the sport for decades without repercussion. Don't get me wrong. Drone spying is inexcusable and those involved should be punished. That aside, you cannot convince me that certain teams and players don't spend a great deal of time perfecting their diving and flopping. These types of incidents have a direct result on the outcome of the games but no one wants to talk about or address that fiasco. That is what is destroying the game. There are many levels to gaining an unfair advantage but drone spying, which is unacceptable, is far from the top of the list being that the impact is negligible in comparison to what's allowed to continue on a regular basis without recourse.

[@Roddy1965]

Why are we surprised at the coaching staff? For EVER we have seen that coaches weild and abuse their power over the athletes under their care, in practicaqlly every sport. It's one scandal after another. I'm sick of it. Players need the coaches on their side to advance their dream, and the coahes know this, and use it, all the time.

[@Ahmed-p4x4r]

The ONLY reason Canada is being penalized so harshly is because France is in their group.

[@cookingclips4901]

Why are you not talking about how this came to light. This was not reported by the New Zealand soccer team. What happened was the assistant coach took the drone out when the French government had a no fly zone intact in the entire area. The French military intercepted the drone in a no fly zone and the assistant coach was called into the police headquarters where they seized her cell phone and found the text messages. This apparently happens all the time where countries are spying on each other in soccer. To say you are all shocked about this is quite the narrative. You all know this takes place in soccer and I'm sure the French government informed Trudeau before this was leaked out to the media to let him know they had to announce it and Canada was the fall guy for their ignorance in not knowing that they were flying a drone in a no fly zone. New Zealand would never report this because they spy on other teams as well. Do you think this is the first time in history that a drone has been used to spy on another team. Why do you think Canada has been doing it since 2019 as reported by the media. They never have been caught before until now and we are to believe that Canada is the only nation to do this. How naive can we be.

[@kavk3874]

So by your logic this is acceptable behaviour because it is normalised. This is not cheating because everyone else does it. Is this Canadian ethics

[@blueberryfuzz]

Damn.

[@ianraymondgillespie]

It may well be true that spying like this is unusual - and, of course, it's wrong, either way. But you absolutely *CANNOT* use the number of spying incidents as evidence of the severity. Canada was only *CAUGHT* spying once. All the other information on spying comes from current and former employees reporting the past history of these bad acts. As a simple matter of journalism and investigative principles, it is impossible to say whether those additional incidents of spying reflect Canada engaging in more spying, or simply that more people are willing to speak out about it now that the dam has broken. In fact, we know it's very likely the latter since other teams and managers who've been caught spying have brushed it off as not a big deal - suggesting it was routine in their cases, too.

[@kamranscent]

Its clear that they have done this before seriously, only this time they got caught.. all those medals you can bin it... stop cheating... canada soccer needs to deal with this man.

[@m2leung]

No KJ. The truth is every nation and club does many things to gain a competitive advantage all the time. Stop dismantling the team and program. We as Canadians should not take the stand that we are going to get walked over by other countries' cheating and dirty tactics. We need to dish it out like Bobby Clarke more consistently if not more than others, and win. Canadians should feel bad for Ben Johnson because our own media decided to take him down, meanwhile Carl Lewis gets a prominent role in the opening ceremonies. Grow up, call out the unproportional punishment and defend the girls!

[@albertherz]

lets not forget that the woman and men have won like never before... under Herdman.

[@dennisnguyen8105]

Glad to see our neighbors to the north is finally learning to cheat. Baby steps. Yes, in the beginning you'll get caught but keep at it and eventually you won't be caught. Don't lose heart. You'll get better at cheating if you apply yourselves and keep practicing. Practice makes perfect. If you need help, we have many experts here in America who will be glad to provide their services for a price.

[@tyy123]

We live in la la land here 😂😅

[@sticklerforchange]

I do not blame the players, but were the players watching drone footage? If that is the case, they needed to whistle blow the story to the press.

[@victoria3241]

How would they have even known?? Even if they asked where the footage came from, do you think the staff would have been honest?? No, because the staff know telling the team the truth would be the fastest way to have the truth leaked.

[@sticklerforchange]

@@victoria3241 Well, if they saw footage of a practice of the New Zealand team, and they realized that the field is in France and the outfits that the New Zealand team are wearing are their 2024 Olympics gear, I think they knew when and where the footage was taken.

[@tyy123]

Let me just get this straight? So now you are accusing Herdman of spying? What the hell is wrong with you?

[@davidhazen2394]

This stains every past medal won from Canada. Every team that lost to Canada were cheated against and may have won the medal if Canada did not cheat. Canada soccar girls are still the best in the world , but now all the medals they won are forever stained.

[@oldskool1979]

Can Sinclair be new coach ?

[@nathalieconnor5803]

She is busy working on creating a new women’s league! Not sure her role specifically, but it’s exciting!

[@jdeast8569]

It's not a drone that would drive you to the quarter-final. So ridiculous. As if the drone would bring the ball to striker at the right time and right moment. This discussion is so sh.... t - Can give you as much drones as you like and you will never make it to the quarter final if you are not good and that's for those drone whiners

[@andygrenn680]

When all is said and done I’ve never liked drones…

[@evangelinestudzinski8442]

so glad he’s not missing no more… on God

[@Dave-po2mz]

I'd look at other aspects of the programs. If they did this they probably cheated in other ways.

[@TT-fq7pl]

Where there's smoke, there's fire.

[@edsilva54]

Maybe Trump was the coach

[@willyhwang1059]

do or dont do there is no try

[@stillirise7813]

Canada being grimey 😅 it's about time. Join the club

[@nathalieconnor5803]

In the meantime, consider the following and wonder if it’s time to pull the plug on the Olympics altogether…. A beach volleyball guy (Denmark?) was found guilty of raping a young girl and the powers that be saw no issue with his inclusion in the games….😮

[@Ahmed-p4x4r]

Perhaps the Olympic committee figured figured since he wasn't married, he wasn't actually cheating

[@BramsUnitedAngels]

Listen this generation or group of national team staff that have been scouting opponents since they’re tender Stage have been known to be sent to international events to film and record future opponents for scouting purposes. Nations are also known to gain access of video and video analysis from other nations video analysis staff. Video analysis is a part of the staff in the CSA

[@987GeorgeMr]

Christine Sinclare his another reflection how weird the national team culture is unbelievable

[@brucewayne3602]

She knows !!!