Canada head coach Bev Priestman suspended for Olympics over spy drone incident

By Rebecca Johnson, PA, Paris

Canada head coach Bev Priestman has been suspended for the remainder of the Olympics following claims a drone was used to spy on New Zealand training sessions.

A statement issued by the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) said that Priestman had been removed from her role after “additional information” came to their attention regarding previous drone use that took place prior to Paris 2024.

On Wednesday, assistant coach Jasmine Mander and Joseph Lombardi, an unaccredited analyst with Canada Soccer, were sent home after a drone was believed to have recorded New Zealand training sessions on two separate occasions.

FIFA later confirmed that they had opened disciplinary proceedings against Canada Soccer, Priestman, Lombardi and Mander.

Priestman, the former assistant coach under England boss Phil Neville, issued a statement on Wednesday apologising for the incident.

She also voluntarily withdrew from coaching Canada’s opening match against New Zealand on Thursday, which they won 2-1 under assistant coach Andy Spence.

Spence will continue to take charge of Canada’s remaining matches and their next game sees them come up against Olympic hosts France on Sunday.

In a statement on Friday, Canada Soccer CEO & General Secretary Kevin Blue confirmed Priestman’s suspension until an “independent external review” is completed.

Blue 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.

“In light of these new revelations, Canada Soccer has made the decision to suspend Women’s National Soccer 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.”