Liberal and Bloc MPs vote against questioning Canada Soccer officials over drone scandal

A parliamentary commission will not question the coaches of the women’s national soccer team over the Paris Olympics cheating scandal, after Liberal and Bloc Quebecois MPs voted Monday against launching a study.

The team was penalized during this summer’s Olympics for cheating by taking drone footage of an opponent’s practice.

NDP MP Niki Ashton introduced a motion to the House of Commons heritage committee to look into what role team officials and Canada Soccer played in the scandal.

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.

Ashton said the scandal damaged Canada’s reputation and there are still questions that need to be answered.

“It’s important that parliamentarians, on behalf of Canadians, seek some accountability and ensure that we truly support our athletes, especially as we prepare to co-host the World Cup in 2026,” he told the commission.

Six Bloc and Liberal MPs voted against the motion, while five Conservative and NDP MPs voted in favor.

Ashton said she’s very disappointed the study isn’t happening.

“This is a cover-up by the Liberal Bloc,” he said. “Canadians have a lot of questions about what’s going on, how big a mess this is and what it’s going to take to fix it.”

LOOK | NDP MP calls for committee hearing to investigate Canada Soccer drone scandal

NDP MP calls for committee hearing to investigate Canada Soccer drone scandal

NDP MP Niki Ashton says Canada Soccer officials and coaches must be held accountable for the cheating scandal that resulted in a FIFA sanction. Ashton is calling for an inquiry by the House of Commons heritage committee to set an example for young football fans and protect the integrity of the game.

Ashton said Canada doesn’t need to have any lingering questions about its ethics ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Sports Minister Carla Qualtrough, who is not on the committee, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Neither did Martin Champoux, the Bloc committee member who voted against the motion.

Lombardi was arrested in Paris after authorities captured a drone that was seen flying over the New Zealand women’s soccer team as they trained three days before they faced Canada at the Olympics.

The Canadian team earned six points in the group stage of the Olympic Games by FIFA. Canada Soccer was fined about $313,000, and Priestman, Lombardi and Mander were suspended for one year.

The findings of an independent external review into the scandal are still emerging.

Canada Soccer announced plans for the review on July 24 and said its outcome will be shared publicly.