The Decibel Toxic culture, systemic spying alleged at Canada Soccer
Dec 3, 2024
Nancy Macdonald and Greg Mercer, Globe reporters who dug deep into the Canada Soccer scandal, uncover a shocking culture of misconduct within the organization. They reveal allegations of systemic spying affecting the women’s national team and detail the dysfunction stemming from toxic coaching practices. The conversation highlights how these issues compromise the integrity of the sport and the emotional toll on players. Moreover, they discuss the challenges of accountability and the urgent need for reform in Canada Soccer.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Toxic Work Environment
- Sources described a toxic work environment after Bev Priestman became head coach in 2020.
- Mandatory pre-match drinking sessions involved excessive alcohol, harassment, and uncomfortable questions.
Compromised Investigation
- Staff reported harassment allegations to Canada Soccer, triggering a formal investigation by Embark.
- The investigation was compromised after Bev Priestman's lawyers obtained confidential interview copies.
Spying Methods
- Spying methods included drones, hiding in bushes, disguises, and rooftop surveillance.
- These tactics aimed to observe opponents' training sessions.