Canadian Soccer Team Shocked at Drone Scandal at Paris Olympics

Three players from Canada's Olympic women's soccer team expressed their bewilderment over their coaches' decision to engage in drone spying during the Paris Games.

In an interview with Radio-Canada, Vanessa Gilles, Gabrielle Carle, and Évelyne Viens shared their shock and confusion over the incident.

"We were in shock because, on the first day, the RCMP met with us and made it clear that drones were illegal in France," Gilles stated.

"We banged our heads against the wall, so to speak, wondering what our coaches were going to watch of the New Zealand training. To this day, we still don't understand."

The scandal erupted when a team staff member was caught using a drone to spy on the New Zealand team's practice sessions.

FIFA penalized the Canadian team by docking six points, and the assistant coach, head coach Bev Priestman, and the staffer were banned for a year each.

Canada Soccer also faced a hefty fine of $323,000, and despite an appeal, the points deduction remained.

"It's frustrating to know that our coaches didn't think we could win with integrity," Carle told Radio Canada.

The players, left to cope with the repercussions, managed to win all three of their group games against New Zealand, France, and Colombia, progressing to the quarterfinals before losing to Germany in a penalty shootout.

Viens expressed how the controversy made her reconsider her future with the team.

"I went to see my parents and told them that [I would stop] if there was no change," she said. "Those are not my values. I want to represent my country, but not those values. For me, it was clear that without change, it was over."

During a media conference call, Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue revealed that the men's team also attempted to use a drone during the Copa America.

"My current understanding is that the fact pattern of that instance is significantly different than what occurred here, especially as it relates to the potential impact of competitive integrity," Blue said.

He added that men's head coach Jesse Marsch, who was hired in May, has denounced such practices to his staff.

Blue acknowledged ongoing investigations into these incidents, describing them as part of a "systematic ethical shortcoming."

Toronto FC head coach John Herdman, who previously coached both the men's and women's national teams, denied any involvement in drone use during his tenure.

"I'm highly confident that in my time as a head coach at an Olympic Games or World Cup, we've never been involved in any of those activities," Herdman asserted.