Canada women's soccer head coach Priestman suspended amid allegations she uses drones to spy on rival teams

The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) has removed head coach Bev Priestman following her suspension by Canada Soccer over a drone spying scandal that has thrust the 2020 Olympic gold medalists into a bad spotlight.

The COC revealed Thursday night, July 25 that the Canadian women’s squad will be led by assistant coach Andy Spence for the remainder of the Paris games, the COC said.

“Over the past 24 hours, additional information has come to our attention regarding previous drone use against opponents, predating the Paris 2024 Olympic Games,” Canada Soccer CEO & General Secretary Kevin Blue said in an emailed statement.

“In light of these new revelations, Canada Soccer has made the decision to suspend Women’s National Team Head Coach, Bev Priestman for the remainder of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and until the completion of our recently announced independent external review.”

Canada defeated New Zealand 2-1 in their Paris Olympics opening game on Thursday, a match which Priestman voluntarily refused to coach following the spying scandal that broke this week.

A drone flown by a Canada Soccer staff member disrupted a New Zealand training session on Monday just days ahead of their opening match against the Tokyo 2020 gold medalists.

Priestman apologised to the New Zealand players for what had happened and said ultimate responsibility lay with her.

“This does not represent the values that our team stands for. I am ultimately responsible for the conduct in our program.”

FIFA in response, has launched disciplinary proceedings against Canada Soccer, Priestman, and two Canada Soccer staff members who were booted from the Paris games this week over the scandal.

Canada Soccer said Wednesday it would launch an independent external review of the drone incident and the historical culture of competitive ethics within all of its programs.
Canada Soccer did not immediately reply to a request for additional comment.

The Canadian women are scheduled to take on Group A opponent France on Sunday in Saint-Etienne.