The Canadian Olympic Committee removed Bev Priestman from her role as head coach of the women’s national football team. This decision comes after a drone spying scandal. The COC announced the change on Friday morning. Assistant coach Andy Spence will now lead the team for the rest of the Paris Games.
This week, trouble hit Canada’s camp. Two staff members went home. They faced accusations of spying on a New Zealand practice using a drone. Priestman denied any role in the scandal. She missed the 2-1 win over New Zealand on Thursday. The International Olympic Committee and Fifa are looking into the issue.
Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue said the COC found more information. This information involved past drone use against opponents. Blue confirmed that Priestman would stay suspended until the end of the tournament. The COC will also finish its independent review.
Bev Priestman Quits as Canada Coach Following Scandal
On Wednesday, the COC sent home assistant coach Jasmine Mander and analyst Joseph Lombardi. Priestman agreed to step down from coaching the opening match. She held a brief press conference on Wednesday after practice. She said she felt the program let the country down. She chose to act proactively and take responsibility.
Priestman, 38, had a contract to coach Canada until the 2027 Women’s World Cup. She started coaching Canada in November 2020. She took over from Kenneth Heiner-Møller. Priestman led the team to a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. However, they did not advance past the group stage in last year’s World Cup. Under Priestman, Canada won 28 matches, lost nine, and drew ten.
Before joining Canada, Priestman worked with the Canadian Soccer Association in various roles. She returned to England in June 2018. There, she coached the women’s under-18 team and served as an assistant coach for the senior team. She previously worked in New Zealand as head of football development before leaving in June 2013.
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