(Ottawa) A parliamentary committee will not summon the coaches of the women’s national soccer team over the cheating scandal at the Paris Olympics.
Posted at 6:00 p.m.
Liberal and Bloc MPs on the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage rejected Monday, six to five, a parliamentary review of this matter.
The women’s team was penalized this summer during the Paris Olympics for cheating by filming an opposing team’s training using a drone.
NDP MP Niki Ashton then presented a motion to the Commons committee to study the role of the team’s leaders and Soccer Canada in this scandal.
MP Ashton wanted to hear from suspended head coach Bev Priestman, former head coach John Herdman, analyst Joseph Lombardi, assistant coach Jasmine Mander and the CEO of Canada Soccer.
MP Ashton argued that this scandal had damaged Canada’s reputation and that questions remained unanswered.
“It is important that parliamentarians, on behalf of Canadians, demand accountability and ensure that we are truly supporting our athletes, especially as we prepare to co-host the World Cup in 2026,” she told the committee.
The five Liberal MPs and the Bloc member on the committee rejected the motion, while the four Conservative MPs and the New Democrat voted in favor.
Mme Ashton said in an interview that she was very disappointed that the parliamentary review would not take place. “This is a cover-up on the part of the Liberals and the Bloc,” she argued. Canadians have a lot of questions about what is happening, how big this mess is and what it will take to fix it. »
Mme Ashton believes Canada should be able to demonstrate ethics before the 2026 World Cup.
Federal Sports Minister Carla Qualtrough, who is not on the committee, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Bloc member Martin Champoux, vice-president of the committee, who voted against the motion, explained in an email that an independent external investigation into the scandal was already underway.
Canada Soccer announced its intention to conduct the investigation on July 24 and promised its findings would be made public.
Analyst Joseph Lombardi was arrested in Paris after authorities captured a drone flying over the New Zealand women’s team during training three days before playing Canada in the Olympics.
The Canadian team was deducted by the International Federation six points during the group stage of the Games. Canada Soccer was fined approximately $313,000, and Mme Priestman, M. Lombardi et Mme Mander were suspended for one year.
