Latest news with #JohnHerdman
CBC
03-04-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Canadian soccer men reach all-time high at 30 in FIFA world rankings
Canada climbed one spot to an all-time best No. 30 in the latest FIFA rankings released Thursday. The Canadian men had reached their previous high in November after climbing four places to No. 31. They were unchanged in the end-of-year December list. Canada had previously been as high as No. 33, achieved in February 2022 under former head coach John Herdman after turning heads with an unbeaten run in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying and being named the "Most Improved Side" in 2021 by FIFA. Canada's lowest ranking was No. 122 in October 2014. The latest move up comes in the wake of last month's 2-1 win over the U.S. and 2-0 loss to Mexico in CONCACAF Nations League Finals play. The Canadian men started 2024 in 48th place, falling to No. 50 in February, and were ranked 49th in the world when Jesse Marsch took over as coach in mid-May. Since then, the team has been on a steady climb to No. 48, 40, 38, 35, 31 and now 30. Canada's next games are against No. 25 Ukraine and No. 41 Ivory Coast at the Canadian Shield Tournament in June. The U.S. remains unchanged at No. 16 to top CONCACAF teams with Mexico, up two places, at No. 17. Panama, which beat the U.S. in the CONCACAF Nations League semifinal, is fourth in the region at No. 33 after rising three places. Argentina remains No. 1 overall after victories over No. 5 Brazil and No. 13 Uruguay, with Spain leapfrogging France to take over at No. 2. The French, who lost 2-0 to Croatia before rallying to win their UEFA Nations League quarterfinal in a penalty shootout, are No. 3 followed by England and Brazil. The Dutch overtake Portugal to move into No. 6 with Belgium, Italy and Germany completing the top 10. No. 11 Croatia and No. 12 Morocco, both up two places, are just outside the top 10. Other countries moving up were Norway (No. 38, up five), Czechia (No. 39, up three) and the Ivory Coast (No. 41, up five). Paraguay (No. 48, up five) and Tunisia (No. 49, up three) returned to the top 50. Myanmar (No. 162, up seven) was the biggest climber, jumping seven spots to No. 162. Guinea-Bissau suffered the biggest drop, down eight places to No. 128. A total of 245 internationals have been played since the December rankings. Teams from Africa, Asia, Oceania and South America were involved in World Cup qualifying while CONCACAF and UEFA sides took part in Nations League competitions and friendlies.
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.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Disciplinary hearing results in admonishment for former Canada coach John Herdman
A disciplinary committee hearing into John Herdman, triggered by the Olympic drone-spying scandal, has concluded with the former Canada coach receiving a written admonishment. The disciplinary hearing, conducted by a three-person panel independent of Canada Soccer, came after Herdman was cited in the report by Sonia Regenbogen of the law firm Mathews, Dinsdale and Clark into the Olympic drone-spying scandal. Regenbogen's 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 Olympics. 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. First news of the disciplinary committee findings came Friday evening in a statement from Herdman provided to The Canadian Press. 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 yet released the committee's decision so full details of its findings 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 Section 7E of 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 behaviour 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 also cited his "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," he added. Herdman resigned as Toronto FC coach on Nov. 29, saying it was "the right time for me to step away from the club, as the organization defines its vision for the future." His departure was linked by many to the Canada Soccer investigation. A former Canada women's and men's coach, Herdman was linked to a culture of spying within Canada Soccer. The fact that he did not speak to Regenbogen, the author of an independent review into the Olympic incident and "any related matters of a historic nature," added fuel to the fire when the report finally came out. A source, not authorized to speak on the matter, said Herdman had offered to speak to Regenbogen but the two could not find a suitable time. A FIFA Appeals Committee ruling last summer also put Herdman at Ground Zero within Canada Soccer for spying on rival teams. "Canada is investigating the history of this matter, but we suspect that the practice of using a drone stems back to John Herdman when he was the head coach of the women's national team. In other words, this was a practice started by one person — John Herdman — and continued by Bev Priestman," Canada Soccer said, according to the FIFA document. Herdman had said little publicly about the scandal. "I can again clarify that at a FIFA World Cup, pinnacle event, Olympic Games, at a Youth World Cup, those activities have not been undertaken," he said in July. "And I've got nothing else to say on that matter." Herdman has kept a low profile since quitting TFC. 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. --- This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 28, 2025 Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press
New York Times
29-03-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Ex-Canada coach John Herdman draws written admonishment from disciplinary committee
Former Canada soccer coach John Herdman has received a written admonishment for his involvement in the Olympic drone-spying scandal that emerged from the Paris Games. The disciplinary committee hearing, triggered by the scandal, did not result in additional punishment for Herdman. A three-person panel outside of Canada Soccer conducted the hearing, and Canada Soccer has not released the full findings from the committee. Advertisement In a statement provided to The Athletic, Canada Soccer said: 'Late this afternoon, the Independent Disciplinary Committee released its decision on the allegations of misconduct by John Herdman. 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.' Herdman defended his integrity and expressed gratitude that the matter was closed in a statement provided to The Athletic. '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 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. 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 became head coach of Canada's women's team in 2011, then switched to the men's team in early 2018. He left that position in August 2023 to take over MLS side Toronto FC, well before the Paris Olympics. However, a report commissioned by Canada Soccer and released in November said Canada's 'practice of conducting surreptitious surveillance of opponents' predated Paris. The report mentioned Herdman, which led to the disciplinary committee hearing. Advertisement Herdman found success as Canada's coach. Under his guidance, the women reached two Olympics, winning bronze in 2012 and 2016. Then, the men's team played in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, marking its first tournament appearance since 1986. He left his position at Toronto FC in late November, saying it was 'the right time' to depart as he looked forward to 'the next chapter' of his career.
