Suspended Canadian soccer coach Bev Priestman apologizes to players in drone spying scandal

Suspended Canadian women’s soccer coach Bev Priestman has apologized to her players in connection with the drone spying scandal.

Before Canada’s opening Olympic game against New Zealand, it was revealed that the team had used drones to spy on its opponents. Assistant coach Jasmine Mander and “unaccredited” analyst Joseph Lombardi were initially sent home before Priestman joined them.

The trio have now been suspended from all football-related activities by FIFA for a year and Priestman said she was heartbroken that her players had been deducted six points at the Olympics.

“…I want to apologize from the bottom of my heart for the impact this situation has had on all of you,” she said in a statement through her lawyers.

“I know how hard they have worked after a very difficult 2023 and that they are a group of people who care deeply about sportsmanship and integrity. As the leader of the team on the field, I want to take responsibility and intend to cooperate fully with the investigation.”

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“To Canada: I am sorry,” the England coach continued. “You were my home and a country I fell in love with. I hope you continue to support these extremely talented and hard-working players to help them defy all adversities and show their true character.”

Priestman insisted 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 had been trying to film their opponents’ training sessions “for years” – including in Tokyo in 2021.

“This program and this team have enabled this country to reach the pinnacle of women’s soccer, and despite reports to the contrary, winning the gold medal was achieved through sheer courage and determination,” Priestman said.

“I have fought tooth and nail to improve this program. Much of it will never be known or understood. I wish I could say more, but given the appeals process and ongoing investigations, I will refrain from doing so at this time.”

The coach concluded her statement by saying that she would be “cheering on Canada from afar.”

Andy Spence has taken over Priestman’s coaching duties at the Olympic Games.

Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue said in a statement Saturday that the association is “exploring the possibility of appealing the point deduction as it represents excessive punishment for our women’s national team players – who have not engaged in any unethical conduct.”

In a press conference on Friday, Blue added that players had not seen any drone footage of Lombardi at the Paris Olympics.

Blue also admitted to reporters that there was an attempt by a member of the men’s team to use a drone at this summer’s Copa America, where Canada finished fourth.

Blue said that Jesse Marsch, the head coach of the Canadian men’s team, learned of the drone use “after the fact” and that he “immediately and forcefully reported it” to his coaching staff.

Canada’s women’s team will play against France on Sunday.