Canada’s women’s soccer team, led by head coach Bev Priestman, has suffered a major setback at the Paris Olympics. The team was docked six points amid allegations of drones being used to spy on their rivals, New Zealand. This incident has left Priestman “heartbroken” for her players and she has issued a heartfelt apology for the impact it has had on them. She emphasized that the players care deeply about sportsmanship and integrity.
Priestman, along with two other Canada Soccer officials, Jasmine Mander and Joseph Lombardi, have been suspended by Fifa from all football-related activities for 12 months. This ban comes as a consequence of the drone spying allegations. In addition to the suspension, Canada’s federal government has decided to withhold funding for the women’s football team officials who have been suspended by Fifa.
The team now faces a challenging path to keep their medal hopes alive. They must win their remaining group stage fixtures and rely on other results to go their way. Despite the difficult circumstances, Priestman remains committed to leading the team and plans to fully cooperate with the investigation.
In a written statement released by her legal representatives, Priestman expressed her deep remorse for the players and apologized to Canada. She acknowledged the hard work and dedication the players have put in, especially after a challenging year in 2023. She also highlighted the team’s commitment to sportsmanship and integrity. Priestman expressed her love for Canada, which she considers her home, and hopes that the country will continue to support the talented and hardworking players.
Priestman also defended the team’s gold medal win at the Tokyo 2020 games, stating that it was earned through sheer grit and determination. She revealed that she fought tirelessly to improve the program, even though many of her efforts may never be fully known or understood. However, due to the ongoing investigation and appeals process, she refrained from providing further details at this time.
The drone spying incident came to light when New Zealand’s Olympic Committee lodged an official complaint with the IOC and reported it to the police. A drone was spotted flying over their training session ahead of their match against Canada. Following the complaint, Priestman decided not to attend her team’s group stage duel with New Zealand, which Canada ultimately won 2-1.
As a result of the incident, Priestman was removed from her role at the games by Canada’s Olympic Committee. Her assistant, Mander, and non-accredited analyst, Lombardi, were also dismissed from the team’s camp. The Canadian Olympic Committee took this step after a second drone incident came to light.
These actions have resulted in severe consequences for Canada’s national soccer association. They have been fined £175,720 by Fifa as part of the sanctions imposed. Despite these challenges, Canada will face Colombia in their final group A clash at the Paris games on July 31, and the team will continue to fight for their medal aspirations.
Overall, the drone spying incident has had a significant impact on Canada’s women’s soccer team, their coaching staff, and the country as a whole. The repercussions of the incident will continue to be felt as investigations and appeals take place. However, Priestman’s apology and commitment to cooperation, along with the team’s determination and resilience, provide hope for the future of Canadian women’s soccer.