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Suspended Canada soccer coach Bev Priestman apologizes to players amid drone spying scandal
Suspended Canada women's soccer coach Bev Priestman has apologized to her players amid the team's drone spying scandal.
Prior to Canada's opening match in the Olympics vs. New Zealand, it was revealed that the team had used drones to spy on their opponents, with assistant coach Jasmine Mander, and 'unaccredited' analyst Joseph Lombardi initially sent home before Priestman joined them.
The trio have now all been suspended by FIFA for a year from any football-related activity, and Priestman said she was 'absolutely heartbroken' for her players after the team was deducted six points at the Olympics.
'...I would like to apologize from the bottom of my heart for the impact this situation has has on all of them,' she said in a statement through her lawyers.
'I know how hard they have worked following a very difficult year in 2023, and that they are a group of people who care very much about sportsmanship and integrity. As the leader of the team on the field, I want to take accountability, and I plan to fully cooperate with the investigation.'
Suspended Canada women's coach Bev Priestman has apologized to her players
Canada beat New Zealand 2-1 in their group stage opener on Thursday afternoon
'To Canada, I am sorry,' the English coach continued. 'You have been my home and a country I have fallen in love with. I hope you continue to support these extremely talented and hardworking players, to help them defy all odds and show their true character.'
Priestman was adamant that spying played no role in the team's gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, after TSN reported that Canada's men's and women's teams have tried to film their opponents' training sessions 'for years' - including in 2021 in Tokyo.
'This program and team have allowed this country to reach the pinnacle of women's soccer, and their winning of the gold medal was earned through sheer grit and determination, despite reports to the contrary,' Priestman said.
'I fought with every ounce of 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 refrain at this time, given the appeals process and the ongoing investigation.'
The coach concluded her statement by saying that she'd be 'cheering from afar' for Canada.
Andy Spence has taken over coaching duties at the Olympics from Priestman.
Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue said in a statement on Saturday that the federation were 'exploring options to appeal [the points deduction] on the basis that it is excessively punitive towards our Women's National Team players – who were not involved in any unethical behavior.'
Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue is addressing 'systemic' usage of drones to spy on teams
In a press conference on Friday, Blue added that the players at the Paris Olympics had not seen any drone footage from Lombardi.
Blue also admitted to reporters that there was an attempt at drone use by someone on the men's team during this summer's Copa America, in which Canada finished fourth.
Blue said that Canada men's head coach Jesse Marsch learned about the drone use 'after the fact' and that he 'immediately and forcefully denounced' it to his coaching staff.
Canada's women's team play France on Sunday.