Suspended Canada soccer coach Bev Priestman apologizes to players amid drone spying scandal
Suspended Canadian women’s soccer coach Bev Priestman has apologized to her players over the team’s drone spying scandal.
Before Canada’s opening match at the Olympics against New Zealand, it was revealed that the team had been using drones to spy on their opponents. Assistant coach Jasmine Mander and “unaccredited” analyst Joseph Lombardi were initially sent home before Priestman joined them.
The three have been banned from all football-related activities by FIFA for a year. Priestman said she was “devastated” for her players after the team was deducted six points from the Olympics.
ā…I want to apologize from the bottom of my heart for the impact this situation has had on all of them,ā she said in a statement through her attorneys.
“I know how hard they have worked after a very difficult year in 2023, and that they are a group of people who value sportsmanship and integrity. As the leader of the team on the field, I want to be held accountable and I intend to cooperate fully with the investigation.”
Suspended Canadian women’s coach Bev Priestman has apologized to her players
Canada defeated New Zealand 2-1 in their opening group stage match on Thursday afternoon
“To Canada, I am sorry,” the England manager continued. “You have been my home and a country I have fallen in love with. I hope you will continue to support these extremely talented and hard-working players, to help them defy all odds and show their true character.”
Priestman was adamant that espionage played no role in the team’s gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics after TSN reported that the Canadian men’s and women’s teams have tried to film their opponents’ training sessions “for years” – including in Tokyo in 2021.
“This program and team have taken this country to the pinnacle of women’s football. The gold medal was achieved through sheer willpower and determination, despite reports to the contrary,” Priestman said.
“I have fought with all my being to make this program better, much of which will never be known or understood. I wish I could say more, but I will not at this time, given the appeals process and ongoing investigation.”
The coach concluded her statement by saying she would be cheering Canada on “from a distance.”
Andy Spence has taken over coaching duties at the Olympic Games from Priestman.
Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue said in a statement Saturday that the association is “exploring options to appeal” [the points deduction] ‘on the grounds that it is excessively punitive for the players of our national women’s team, who have not been guilty of unethical behaviour.’
Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue tackles ‘systematic’ use of drones to spy on teams
Blue said at a press conference on Friday that the players at the Paris Olympics had not seen drone footage of Lombardi.
Blue also admitted to reporters that there was an attempt to use a drone during this summer’s Copa America, in which Canada finished fourth.
Blue said Canada men’s national team coach Jesse Marsh learned of the drone use “after the fact” and “immediately and forcefully” condemned it to his coaching staff.
The Canadian women’s team plays France on Sunday.