Matildas bronze medal bombshell drops after exposing email revealed

The Matildas are now dramatically impacted by the Olympics’ spygate scandal as an exposing email exchange rocks the sport.

The Matildas could bag themselves an Olympic medal amid calls for Canada to be stripped.

The Matildas suddenly have a case to argue they were robbed of bronze medals at the Tokyo Olympics - and there’s a new push to see they receive them.

It comes after the Canadian spy-gate scandal was blown wide open overnight with suggestions the disgraced football team has engaged in “unacceptable” behaviour for years under disgraced coach Bev Priestman.

The Olympics was rocked last week when it was revealed an accredited Canadian team analyst was spotted using a drone to film New Zealand’s training session ahead of their opening match.

The analyst was taken into police custody and said it was the worst day of his life. The Canadian team was stripped of six points and Priestman was sent home.

But there’s been major new developments on the same day the Matildas were sensationally eliminated from the Games on Thursday morning following a loss to the United States.

The axe fell on the Matildas’ campaign when Canada defeated Colombia hours later — and robbed us of a spot in the quarterfinals.

Despite the six-point penalty, Canada moved through to the quarter-finals after winning all three of their pool games.

However, the bombshell report released by the Court of Arbitration for Sport overnight will take the joy out of their celebrations.

The global sports integrity court became involved after Canada protested the sanctions it received following the Kiwi scandal.

Sam Kerr in action for the Matildas at the Tokyo Olympics. Pics Adam Head

The attempt to have their points penalty reduced or lifted appears to have backfired because evidence tabled in the hearing has raised suspicion the spy operation could stretch back all the way to the beginning of Priestman’s reign as coach in 2020.

That stretch includes the Tokyo Olympics, where the Canadians won gold ahead of Sweden, USA and Australia.

There’s a push to have Canada stripped of its gold medal, which would see the Matildas elevated to the bronze medal.

One comment by Canadian sports commentator Phil Perkins sums it up.

Hold the dang phone. Correct me if I’m wrong but doesn’t Canada have to forfeit their gold medal? Happens in track and field all the time. Also, both Men’s and Women’s teams have been using drones for years, is that ultimately why John Herdman left?? pic.twitter.com/vUREUZGcgl

— Phil Perkins (@PhilPerkinsCP24) July 26, 2024

Among many shocking statements to emerge in a CAS document summarising its investigation, it was found the Canadian association had been found to have been involved in “offensive behaviour and violations of the principles of fair play”.

The statement includes several bombshell pieces of evidence, describing the team’s conduct as “unprecedented and egregious”.

The apparent smoking gun in the document are two emails.

One was sent by an unnamed “performance analyst” to Priestman, the second from Priestman seeking “HR” advice to someone within the Canadian set-up. Both are brutally exposing.

“As discussed yesterday, in terms of the ‘spying’ conversation, I came off the meeting with clarity that you understood my reasons for me being unwilling to do this moving forward,” the analyst told the coach.

“Morally;

“My own reputation within the analysis field;

“Potentially being unable to fulfil my role on a matchday.”

“Moving forward I will have a discussion ... and reach out to the wider tech team with regards to how we could potentially look for other solutions,” the analyst added.

“But just wanted to confirm that you will not be asking me to fulfil the role of ‘spying’ in the upcoming camp and future camps. I am sure you will respect my reasoning and thank you for your understanding.”

Canada women's national team head coach Beverly Priestman was behind the spying plans. Logan Riely/Getty Images/AFP

The Canadian coach appeared to react to the email by looking for a workaround.

“Seeking your advice and input here regarding this formal email on spying,” she wrote to the redacted recipient.

“It’s something the analyst has always done and I know there is a whole operation on the Men’s side with regards to it (we had **** in with us recently and he was outstanding in this area).

“Yesterday in a meeting when discussing it, I asked to propose an alternative solution as for scouting it can be the difference between winning and losing and all top 10 teams do it.

“I received this more ‘formal’ email this morning and so just after guidance really as to what from a HR stand point I can do or do I need to find another solution in resourcing? It’s a tricky one and it’s formal for a reason I feel... Thanks Bev.”

The CAS chairperson’s summary shows the case may expand, finding the Canadian team had committed “at least three instances of the clear and unequivocal prohibition regarding the use of drones”.

Priestman’s comment that “spying” is something her analyst “has always done” is the most telling in backing suspicion the behaviour stretches back to Tokyo.

The 38-year-old has already been given a one-year ban from all football-related activity by FIFA for her responsibility in the scandal.

Team Canada’s gold medal in Tokyo is under scrutiny. (Photo by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images)

She issued a letter of apology on Sunday in which she admitted to being “absolutely heartbroken” and promised to cooperate with an investigation into the affair.

The storm erupted when the New Zealand team issued an official complaint to Olympics and FIFA officials after spotting a drone flying over their training.

Kiwi officials described the spying operation as “the most significant and highest level, systematic, organised and sustained spying”.

The Canadian association has condemned the behaviour of the individuals directly responsible, but have remained adamant it is an isolated case.

Originally published as Matildas bronze medal bombshell drops after exposing email revealed