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Reuters
29-03-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Herdman defends time with Canada after admonishment over drone scandal
March 29 (Reuters) - John Herdman has defended his time as Canada men's and women's soccer coach after receiving a written admonishment following an independent investigation into a drone-spying scandal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The disciplinary hearing, conducted by a panel independent of Canada Soccer, came after Herdman was cited in a law firm's report on the incident. "Throughout my career, I have led with integrity, transparency, and a deep respect for the game," Herdman said in a statement to Reuters. "That has not changed. I cooperated throughout the process, including a complete and transparent presentation to the Disciplinary Committee. "Although this has been an incredibly challenging period, I remain proud of my time with Canada Soccer and what we achieved together." Herdman resigned as head coach of Major League Soccer's Toronto FC in November amid the drone scandal at the Paris Olympics that led to Bev Priestman being fired as Canada women's head coach. Priestman was among those banned for a year by FIFA. At the time, Canada Soccer described it as "a symptom of a past pattern of an unacceptable culture". An independent inquiry ended in November, prompting the launch of disciplinary proceedings against Herdman. The 49-year-old from Consett, England was linked to what an independent review found was a "practice of conducting surreptitious surveillance of opponents" ahead of the Paris Games. "The independent committee informed the parties that John Herdman was found to have committed misconduct under the Canada Soccer Disciplinary Code," Canada Soccer said in a statement. "The committee determined the appropriate sanction was a letter of admonishment and informed the parties that their decision was final and binding." Herdman was Canada's women's head coach from 2011-18, guiding them to bronze medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, before taking over the men's side from 2018-23. He led the men's team at the World Cup in Qatar in 2022 before joining Toronto in 2023. "Although this has been an incredibly challenging period, I remain proud of my time with Canada Soccer and what we achieved together," Herdman said. "I look forward to continuing my journey in the game. I remain focused on my passion - coaching, mentoring, and helping teams reach their full potential."
BBC News
29-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Ex-Canada boss Herdman 'admonished' over drone case
Former Canada men's and women's national team coach John Herdman has defended his time at the helm after an independent investigation into his conduct concluded his misconduct warranted "a letter of admonishment".The investigation centred around the illegal use of drones to spy on the opposition, which was uncovered before the 2024 Olympic Games in team coach Bev Priestman, who previously worked as assistant to the England women's team, was among those banned for a year by world governing body Fifa for her part in the scandal. At the time, Canada Soccer described it as "a symptom of a past pattern of an unacceptable culture".An independent inquiry into the matter ended in November but it prompted the launch of disciplinary proceedings for England-born Herdman, who worked for Canada Soccer from 2011 to 2023, initially for the women's team and then, from 2018, on the men's time in charge featured sustained and unprecedented progess on the football stage, culminating in qualification for the 2022 men's World Cup for only the second time in Canada's left to join Major League Soccer side Toronto in August 2023, but resigned in November 2024 in the wake of Canada Soccer launching its disciplinary on Friday, Canada Soccer said: "Mr Herdman was found to have committed misconduct under the Canada Soccer Disciplinary Code. The committee determined the appropriate sanction was a letter of admonishment." The governing body did not offer any details around the investigation's findings, which it said were "final and binding" and that it was "analysing the decision".However, in his own statement, seen by BBC Sport, Herdman defended his actions and behaviour."I acknowledge the Disciplinary Committee's decision, which concluded with an admonishment, without suspension or fine, and brings this matter to a close," he said."I want to express my profound appreciation to the players and staff who stood by me during this process. Your willingness to come forward and defend the culture we built together has been invaluable. We created a team united by respect and shared values, and I am thankful for your support."Throughout my career, I have led with integrity, transparency, and a deep respect for the game. That has not changed. I co-operated throughout the process, including a complete and transparent presentation to the Disciplinary Committee."Although this has been an incredibly challenging period, I remain proud of my time with Canada Soccer and what we achieved together. I look forward to continuing my journey in the game. I remain focused on my passion - coaching, mentoring, and helping teams reach their full potential."Sources close to Herdman believe the outcome represents an exoneration of the 49-year-old, who is now keen to restart his coaching career, having previously attracted interest from his native England, where he has never previously managed.
Associated Press
29-03-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Former Canada coach John Herdman receives admonishment following disciplinary hearing
OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Former Canada soccer coach John Herdman has received a written admonishment following a disciplinary committee hearing that was triggered by a drone-spying scandal at the Paris Olympics. The disciplinary hearing, conducted by a three-person panel independent of Canada Soccer, came after Herdman was cited in a report by a law firm's report on the scandal. The independent review, commissioned by Canada Soccer and released in a redacted form in November, concluded that it was clear the 'practice of conducting surreptitious surveillance of opponents' predated the Paris Games. At the time, Canada Soccer said it had 'initiated a proceeding with respect to Mr. Herdman under its Disciplinary Code.' 'Potential violations of the Canada Soccer Code of Conduct and Ethics by the former head coach of the men's national team were identified,' Canada Soccer said in its release in November. Canada Soccer then confirmed that the disciplinary committee had issued a decision. 'Late this afternoon, the Independent Disciplinary Committee released its decision on the allegations of misconduct by John Herdman,' a Canada Soccer spokesperson said in a statement to The Canadian Press. 'The independent committee informed the parties that Mr. Herdman was found to have committed misconduct under the Canada Soccer Disciplinary Code. 'The committee determined the appropriate sanction was a letter of admonishment and informed the parties that their decision was final and binding. Canada Soccer is still analyzing the committee's decision.' Canada Soccer has not released the committee's decision, so full details are not available. The drone-spying scandal cost women's coach Bev Priestman, assistant coach Jasmine Mander and analyst Joey Lombardi their jobs at Canada Soccer. All three are currently serving one-year suspensions from FIFA, with Lombardi having resigned his Canada Soccer position soon after the Olympics. Herdman, a former Canada men's and women's coach, was charged under the Code of Conduct and Ethics, which cites: 'Any act or statement, verbally or in writing, which is considered to be unsporting, insulting, or improper behavior or is likely to bring the game into disrepute.' According to Canada Soccer's Disciplinary Code, sanctions available to a discipline hearing committee range from a written notice of admonishment to a lifetime suspension. Herdman got the lighter end of the that. 'I acknowledge the disciplinary committee's decision, which concluded with an admonishment, without suspension or fine, and brings this matter to a close,' Herdman said in his four-paragraph statement. 'Throughout my career, I have led with integrity, transparency, and a deep respect for the game,' he added. 'That has not changed. I co-operated throughout the process, including a complete and transparent presentation to the disciplinary committee. 'Although this has been an incredibly challenging period, I remain proud of my time with Canada Soccer and what we achieved together. I look forward to continuing my journey in the game. I remain focused on my passion — coaching, mentoring, and helping teams reach their full potential.' Herdman resigned as Toronto FC coach on Nov. 29. His departure was linked by many to the Canada Soccer investigation. Herdman took over the Canadian women's team in 2011 and switched to the Canadian men in January 2018. He quit Canada Soccer in August 2023 to take over Toronto FC. He led the Canadian women to two Olympics, winning bronze in 2012 and 2016 and took the Canadian men to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar — their first trip to the sport's showcase since 1986.
