Politics

Liberal, Bloc MPs vote not to summon soccer officials for cheating scandal questions

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

MP says scandal damaged Canada’s reputation

Canadian national women's soccer head coach Bev Priestman looks on during an international friendly against Mexico at BMO Field on June 4, 2024 in Toronto.
Canada soccer officials won’t have to answer questions from Parliamentarians on the Paris Olympics cheating scandal after Liberal and Bloc MPs voted against launching a study. Bev Priestman, pictured, was one of the officials NDP MP Niki Ashton wanted to question. (Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images/File)

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

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

NDP MP Niki Ashton put forward a motion at the House of Commons heritage committee to study what role officials from the team 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 Canada Soccer’s CEO.

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

Six MPs from the Bloc and the Liberals voted down the motion, while five MPs from the Conservatives and the NDP voted in favour.

WATCH | 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 need to be held to account for the cheating scandal that resulted in a FIFA penalty. Ashton is calling for an investigation by the House of Commons heritage committee to set an example for young soccer fans and protect the game’s integrity.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rosa Saba is a business reporter with The Canadian Press

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