Report includes accusations of bullying, intimidation, reprimands in women's program
Canada Soccer’s women’s program has a toxic workplace culture, marked by allegations of bullying, inappropriate behaviour, and retaliation against staff who raised concerns, according to a report.
Employees described a stifling environment where dissent was unwelcome, and many felt pressured to engage in unethical activities, including spying on opponents, according to the Globe and Mail.
The issues came to light after a drone scandal at the Paris Olympics, where a staff member was caught using a drone to film a competitor’s practice, according to the report.
Multiple staff members described a work culture under head coach Bev Priestman and assistant coach Jasmine Mander as oppressive.
Employees reported being berated in meetings, excluded from communications after voicing concerns, and pressured to participate in mandatory social events that often featured inappropriate conduct, according to the report.
The 2023 workplace investigation by lawyer Erin Durant revealed that staff were required to attend pre-game “Match Day Minus One” drinking events, where sexually explicit party games were played. Some employees described being thrown sex toys or asked inappropriate questions during these gatherings.
Text messages reviewed by the Globe show Priestman lamenting declining attendance at these events, which were reportedly uncomfortable for many staff.
Complaints of toxic behaviour extended to personal interactions. Mander was accused of bullying and intimidation, with some employees stating they experienced panic attacks as a result of her behaviour. One former staff member said Mander’s public reprimands created a hostile work environment.
Despite these concerns, Durant’s report did not find a breach of Canada Soccer’s code of conduct but highlighted the need for significant cultural reform.
Previously, a former HR director at Calgary Police Service (CPS) claimed that the workplace was rife with harassment, bullying and discrimination – and she experienced it firsthand.
This toxic environment was compounded by widespread pressure on staff to engage in spying on opponents, often through unauthorized or unethical means, reported the Globe and Mail.
Several employees reported being directed to surveil competitors during tournaments, with some facing professional repercussions for refusing to comply.
During the 2023 SheBelieves Cup in Florida, Mander instructed an analyst to use a drone to film the U.S. team’s practice. When the analyst refused on moral grounds, their contract was terminated before the next tournament, according to two sources.
In another instance, head coach Priestman pressured analyst Morgan Drew to spy on Costa Rica’s team during the 2024 Concacaf Cup. Emails submitted to the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) revealed Priestman questioning Canada Soccer’s HR consultant about how to address Drew’s refusal. Drew later left the organization, with one source describing the workplace as coercive.
“If you had a staff member come in and say: No, I’m not willing to spy or cheat for Canada, it’s pretty clear they would not be able to keep their job with this organization,” Prof. Max Bazerman, an ethicist at the Harvard Business School, said in the Globe’s report. “It’s clear that the people meant to be supervising these coaches were not paying attention.”
Canada Soccer has acknowledged these issues and pledged to reform its workplace culture. Spokesperson Paulo Senra stated: “New leadership and a full commitment to excellence with integrity, transparency, and accountability in every area of operations and governance will continue to renew the public trust,” according to the report.
Canada Soccer also said that the organization should not be defined by the actions of individuals who are no longer involved with it.
