Canadian Olympic Committee CEO David Shoemaker said there “appears to be information that could tarnish Canada’s triumph in women’s soccer at the Tokyo Games.”
Shoemaker said, “It makes me sick, it makes me nauseous, to think that there could be anything that could challenge this.”
Former Canadian national team coach John Herdman said he was “very confident” that no similar practices were used during his time at the helm.
Englishman Herdman, who was in charge of the Canadian men’s team at the 2022 World Cup and the women’s team at the 2012 World Cup in London and 2016 in Rio, added that he would cooperate with Canada Soccer’s internal review.
“I have always come to the Olympics, World Cups and major events with integrity and the ability to compete at the highest level while adhering to the rules and procedures. For my part, I will assist Canada Soccer with this review in any way I can,” said Herdman, who now coaches Toronto FC.
Former Canadian striker Christine Sinclair, the world’s all-time leading international goalscorer, said the players were never shown drone footage.
“It is unfortunate that our national team players had to endure reprehensible actions by some of their staff while attempting to defend our gold medal. Actions are beyond the control of the players,” Sinclair said on Instagram.
“I would like to make it clear that, although I have been a national player for 23 years, I have never been shown or discussed drone footage in any team or individual meetings I have attended.”
Stephanie Labbe was Canada’s goalkeeper when Priestman’s team defeated Sweden on penalties in Tokyo to win women’s soccer gold.
“If anyone wants to talk about PKS [penalty kicks]”I studied hard the nights before every game,” the 37-year-old, who will retire in 2022, said on social media.
“Watched videos of players taking penalty kicks in national team and club matches. Based on this information, I made my own educated guesses. No drone footage was viewed.
“Don’t confuse great goalkeeping with cheating.”
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