Seventeen players on Canada's men's national soccer team were briefed on Aug. 31, 2021, at a Toronto hotel, where head coach John Herdman showcased footage of the closed practice of the Honduran team before their World Cup qualifier match on Sept. 2, as disclosed by a source to TSN.

Herdman emphasized the importance of scrutinizing the Honduran team's tactics, focusing on their 4-4-2 formation and pressing strategies. The goal was to overturn the opposition’s tactics, particularly within the first 15 minutes of the game. This approach aimed to give Canada a competitive edge over their opponents.

TSN independently verified the account of the meeting, following Herdman's initial public denial of spying on competitors. Herdman affirmed his confidence in the lack of such activities during his tenure at major tournaments, redirecting the conversation towards an upcoming independent review by Canada Soccer regarding the events in Paris.

The revelation of Canada's alleged drone usage and spying tactics during both men's and women's national team practices has stirred controversy. Ex-Canada Soccer personnel have come forth with accounts of covert surveillance dating back to at least 2016.

Social media users expressed a mix of reactions to the news, with some highlighting the expected competitive nature of such activities, criticizing the tactics, or questioning the morality of the actions taken by the Canadian teams.

The divulgence surrounding the Canadian team's espionage activities sheds light on the potential lengths taken to gain a tactical advantage in high-stakes matches. The ongoing scrutiny and independent review indicate the significance of ethical considerations in sporting competition at the national level.