As Canada Soccer struggles with the fallout of allegedly using drones to spy on opponents, former women's national team captain and Burnaby soccer legend Christine Sinclair is speaking out.
As the 2024 Paris Olympics were set to begin and Canada defending its gold medal, French authorities detained a "non-accredited member" of the Canada Soccer support team on Monday, July 22, in Saint-Étienne after receiving a complaint from New Zealand Football.
Assistant coach Jasmine Mander and unaccredited Canada Soccer analyst Joseph Lombardi were immediately sent home.
"The staff member is believed to have been using a drone to record the New Zealand women's football team during practice," reads the Canadian Olympic Committee said in an initial media statement on July 24.
Today, July 26, Sinclair, who was part of the Tokyo 2020 gold medal-winning team, said in a statement that players were "never shown or discussed drone footage in team or individual meetings" that she was present for.
"Having contested over 300 international matches, including 4 Olympic games, there was no greater honour than wearing the maple leaf and representing Canada on the world stage," Sinclair wrote on social media.
"As players, we train endlessly our whole lives for these moments. Together, we take pride in letting our play speak for itself. We battle within the touchlines with integrity and try to meet each result with grace - win, lose or draw.
"It's unfortunate that players of our National Team have had to play through condemnable actions by some of their staff as they attempt to defend our goal medal. Actions players have no control over.
"I want to be clear that having been a national team player for 23 years, we were never shown or discussed drone footage in team or individual meetings I've been present for.
"With one win already under their belts, I cannot wait to see what these players can continue to achieve in this tournament together and I will continue to support the players along the way. I hope all Canadians will join me in doing so."
On Thursday, the Canadian Olympic Committee announced it was removing head coach Bev Priestman for the rest of the Olympic tournament.
Canada Soccer CEO and general secretary Kevin Blue said in the COC release "additional information has come to our attention regarding previous drone use against opponents, predating the Paris 2024 Olympic Games."
Blue said Priestman is also suspended pending results of the organization's investigation.
FIFA is also investigating Soccer Canada.
The CWNT won its opening match 2-1 against New Zealand on Thursday, July 25.
With files from Richmond News and The Canadian Press
