The coach for Canada's women's Olympic soccer team has been suspended over allegations it used drones to spy on competitors. The Canadian Olympic Committee announced Thursday that Bev Priestman will not lead the team at the Games, after an investigation by FIFA and the International Olympic Committee linked it to drone use “prior to” the Olympics.
“Over the past 24 hours, we have received additional information regarding the use of drones against opponents, ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games,” Canadian Soccer Association CEO Kevin Blow said in a statement. “In light of these new findings, the Canadian Soccer Association has made the decision to suspend the head coach of the Canadian Women’s National Team, Bev Priestman, for the remainder of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.”
Blue said Priestman's suspension will continue until the Canadian Soccer Board of Governors' independent investigation is complete. Assistant coach Andy Spence will take over as interim coach for the remainder of the games.
Priestman’s dismissal comes days after French authorities arrested an unauthorized member of Canada’s national soccer team following an incident in Saint-Etienne. The discovery of the drone use led to the dismissal of two team members. Priestman denied involvement in the incident on Wednesday.
An “unaccredited member of the Canadian Football Support Team” has been detained by French authorities in Saint-Etienne, a city 250 miles south of Paris, for improperly using a drone, the Canadian Olympic Committee said.
“Regardless of the details, I am ultimately responsible for this team,” the coach said after training the team. Watchman“I did not direct individuals in any way.”
“I'm still learning the details and obviously all of this is unfolding. But again, I think the important thing now is to look forward, put measures in place and impose sanctions,” she added.
The Canadian Olympic Committee issued a statement Wednesday saying Joseph Lombardi, an unaccredited analyst with the Canadian Soccer Federation, and Jasmine Mander, an assistant coach to whom Lombardi allegedly reported, were “immediately sent home.”
Team Canada has been notified of two separate drone incidents: one on July 22 in Saint-Etienne, and the other on July 19 at a New Zealand training session. Canada defeated New Zealand 2-1 on Thursday in the team’s first appearance at the Paris Olympics, though Priestman was not present at the game.
Canada is scheduled to play host France on July 28 in Group A of the competition, which also includes New Zealand and Colombia. Canada is the current gold medalist.
