Canada Women’s National Team is making headlines for all the wrong reasons. Just moments before commencing their Paris Olympics 2024 journey, they are facing backlash over spying on their Group A rivals New Zealand with drones ahead of the kick-off. While the shocking incident sheds negative limelight on Cannucks head coach Bev Priestman, the Canadian Olympic Committee CEO David Shoemaker has stepped up to defend their boss and rather put the blame on the ‘pilot of the drone.’

Of course, many would argue that it is the coach who will have thought of spying over training sessions. While this is the exact suspicion that sees Priestman in the hot seat, Shoemaker is rather defensive of the 38-year-old British tactician. While commenting on the repercussions that Priestman could face, he asserted, “We thought about all repercussions for Bev. At the end of the day, the drone footage related to the filming of two NZL practices remained in the hands of the pilot of the drone.”

This suggests that rather than grilling Priestman, Shoemaker, and other stakeholders of the Canadian WNT and Olympic Committee are subtly raising fingers at the individual who was flying and recording New Zealand WNT’s training sessions. Ironic as it may seem but with these claims, questions are definitely going to be raised about exactly who gave the orders to the drone pilot in the first place.

In the meantime, Bev Priestman chose not to be present on the sidelines for Thursday’s match against New Zealand. “I am ultimately responsible for conduct in our program,” she stated. The British coach explained that her decision was made to “emphasize our team’s commitment to integrity” and to act in the best interests of both sides. Yet, NZWNT is adamant to see Canada get punished!

The punishment that New Zealand wants Bev Priestman and Canada to face!

As per the reports compiled by Devin Heroux on X, Canadian Olympic Committee CEO David Shoemaker revealed that New Zealand football has lodged a complaint against Canada with FIFA. Additionally, they have also urged the governing body to ensure that Canada does not receive any points if they win their opening group stage match against them.

Though prior reports suggested that Canada might face immediate disqualification, Shoemaker clarified that he has not been informed of any such action by FIFA or the Olympic Committee. Nonetheless, New Zealand remains determined to seek justice for Canada’s actions in recording Jitka Klimkova and her team’s training sessions.