Priestman, since sent home from Paris in the wake of the scandal, was an assistant coach under Herdman.
Herdman took over the women's team in 2011 and switched to the Canadian men in January 2018. He quit Canada Soccer last August to take over Toronto FC of Major League Soccer.
The FIFA document, which was forwarded to The Canadian Press, was shown in its entirety Tuesday on its Inside.fifa.com website. On Wednesday, the document was redacted to remove the name of Herdman and others.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday, a drawn-looking Herdman did not address the specifics contained in the FIFA document, citing the "integrity of the investigation."
"As part of that, I'll be supporting with as much evidence as I can offer or support I can offer through that investigation," he said. "Until that concludes, I won't be able to comment on those matters specifically."
He said he would speak "on all those matters at the right time. I think the time is just not now."
But he repeated his position first stated last Friday that his record was clean at the Olympics and World Cups.
"I can again clarify that at a FIFA World Cup, pinnacle event, Olympic Games, at a Youth World Cup, those activities have not been undertaken," he said. "And I've got nothing else to say on that matter."
Herdman led the Canadian women to two Olympics, winning bronze in 2012 and 2016. He also took the Canadian men to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Canada Soccer declined to comment on the redacted FIFA documents.
"The independent investigation is currently underway and therefore it would be inappropriate to comment further. When we have more to share, we will communicate it publicly," Canada Soccer communications officer Paulo Senra said in an emailed statement.
On Wednesday, a sports arbitration court also dismissed Canada's appeal of a six-point penalty against the women's team, as emails from earlier this year released by soccer's governing body appear to show a Canada Soccer analyst resisted a request from the team's head coach to engage in "spying."
The Court of Arbitration for Sport said its panel of three arbitrators rejected the appeal by Canadian Olympic Committee and Canada Soccer to reverse the penalty imposed in relation to a drone spying scandal involving the team's coaching staff ahead of Canada's opening game against New Zealand.
Herdman said he was "devastated" for the women's team.
The eight-ranked Canadian women faced No. 22 Colombia in their final group match Wednesday, needing a win to overcome the points deduction and advance at the Olympic tournament. The team posted a 2-1 victory and earned a quarterfinal date with Germany on Saturday.
Herdman could face sanctions himself, if his involvement in past spying is proven.
The FIFA Appeals Committee ruling note that its decision related only to "drone incidents" that occurred at the Olympic football tournament.
"As the chairperson understands it, the CSA (Canadian Soccer Association) is conducting its own broader investigation into spying," the ruling said. "In this respect, the chairperson expects the CSA to provide FIFA with the results of said investigation in order for it to be able to assess and decide whether further action by the FIFA bodies is necessary and appropriate."
Canada Soccer has been fined more than $300,000 and three team staff members -- including Priestman -- involved in the drone incident were suspended for one year.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 31, 2025
Toronto FC head coach John Herdman looks on during a press conference at the BMO Training Field in Toronto, Aug. 29, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Tijana Martin
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