Montreal (AFP) – Bev Priestman was removed as head coach of the Canadian Olympic women's football team Thursday night after Canada Soccer found evidence of drone spying before the Paris Olympics.
Issued on: 26/07/2024 -
Canadian women's Olympic football head coach Bev Priestman was removed by Canadian Olympic officials after Canada Soccer found evidence of drone spying before the Paris Olympics
© William WEST / AFP/File
A day after Canadian assistant coach Jasmine Mander and analyst Joey Lombardi were sent home from the Paris Olympics for flying a drone over a New Zealand training session, Canada Soccer suspended Priestman.
A day after Canadian assistant coach Jasmine Mander and analyst Joey Lombardi were sent home from the Paris Olympics for flying a drone over a New Zealand training session, Canada Soccer suspended Priestman.
"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 chief executive Kevin Blue said.
"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."
The Canadian women, reigning Olympic champions, defeated New Zealand 2-1 in their Paris Olympic opening match on Thursday.
Priestman took no part in the game after the controversy and had been expected back for Canada's second Group A match on Sunday against France before Canada Soccer's ban led to the Canadian Olympic Committee removing her.
Assistant coach Andy Spence will lead the Canadian women's national team for the remainder of the Paris Olympics, Canada Soccer said.
© 2024 AFP
We're not cheats', insist Canada after Olympic football spying scandal
Saint-Étienne (France) (AFP) – Canada defender Vanessa Gilles insisted her team were "not cheats" despite a spying scandal before their 2-1 opening win over New Zealand in the Olympic women's football competition on Thursday.
Issued on: 25/07/2024
Saint-Étienne (France) (AFP) – Canada defender Vanessa Gilles insisted her team were "not cheats" despite a spying scandal before their 2-1 opening win over New Zealand in the Olympic women's football competition on Thursday.
Issued on: 25/07/2024
Canada beat New Zealand after a spying scandal © Arnaud FINISTRE / AFP
Assistant coach Jasmine Mander and analyst Joey Lombardi were sent home from the Games in Paris on Wednesday.
Lombardi was also given a suspended eight-month prison sentence for flying a drone over a New Zealand training session in Saint-Etienne in the build-up to the match.
FIFA has since opened disciplinary proceedings against Canada.
"Honestly, it wasn't easy," Gilles told reporters.
"There was a lot of emotion, frustration and humiliation because as a player, it doesn't reflect our values and what we want to represent as competitors at the Olympics.
"The Games represent fair play. As Canadians, these are not our values or those of our country. We are not cheats. It was very hard but we knew how to be united."
Canada are defending their Olympic title in Paris after defeating Sweden to win gold in Tokyo three years ago.
"It's up to us to stay together and try not to let social media and the press break into our bubble," added on-loan Lyon defender Gilles. "We've been able to do that in the past."
Head coach Bev Priestman also took no part in the game after the controversy, but is expected to be back on the bench for Canada's second Group A match against France on Sunday.
"She took a step back from this match and left the bench to her assistants but for the next matches, she should take her place again," said Gilles.
Goals from Arsenal forward Cloe Lacasse and Evelyne Viens helped Canada come from behind to win.
New Zealand coach Michael Mayne refused to blame the spying incident on his side's loss.
"I don't want to make excuses for this result," he said.
"But, yes, we are disappointed. There is the question of how this happened and the reasons that led to this situation.
"Yes, maybe it influenced part of the game. We wanted to play and we did our best."
New Zealand next face Colombia on Sunday, needing to avoid defeat to give their quarter-final hopes a boost.
© 2024 AFP
Assistant coach Jasmine Mander and analyst Joey Lombardi were sent home from the Games in Paris on Wednesday.
Lombardi was also given a suspended eight-month prison sentence for flying a drone over a New Zealand training session in Saint-Etienne in the build-up to the match.
FIFA has since opened disciplinary proceedings against Canada.
"Honestly, it wasn't easy," Gilles told reporters.
"There was a lot of emotion, frustration and humiliation because as a player, it doesn't reflect our values and what we want to represent as competitors at the Olympics.
"The Games represent fair play. As Canadians, these are not our values or those of our country. We are not cheats. It was very hard but we knew how to be united."
Canada are defending their Olympic title in Paris after defeating Sweden to win gold in Tokyo three years ago.
"It's up to us to stay together and try not to let social media and the press break into our bubble," added on-loan Lyon defender Gilles. "We've been able to do that in the past."
Head coach Bev Priestman also took no part in the game after the controversy, but is expected to be back on the bench for Canada's second Group A match against France on Sunday.
"She took a step back from this match and left the bench to her assistants but for the next matches, she should take her place again," said Gilles.
Goals from Arsenal forward Cloe Lacasse and Evelyne Viens helped Canada come from behind to win.
New Zealand coach Michael Mayne refused to blame the spying incident on his side's loss.
"I don't want to make excuses for this result," he said.
"But, yes, we are disappointed. There is the question of how this happened and the reasons that led to this situation.
"Yes, maybe it influenced part of the game. We wanted to play and we did our best."
New Zealand next face Colombia on Sunday, needing to avoid defeat to give their quarter-final hopes a boost.
© 2024 AFP
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