Suspended Canada soccer coach Bev Priestman apologizes to players amid drone spying scandal

Suspended Canada women's shot coach Bev Priestman has apologized to her players amid nan team's drone spying scandal.

Prior to Canada's opening lucifer successful nan Olympics vs. New Zealand, it was revealed that nan squad had utilized drones to spy connected their opponents, with assistant coach Jasmine Mander, and 'unaccredited' expert Joseph Lombardi initially sent location earlier Priestman joined them.

The trio person now each been suspended by FIFA for a twelvemonth from immoderate football-related activity, and Priestman said she was 'absolutely heartbroken' for her players aft nan squad was deducted six points astatine nan Olympics.

'...I would for illustration to apologize from nan bottommost of my bosom for nan effect this business has has connected each of them,' she said successful a connection done her lawyers.

'I cognize really difficult they person worked pursuing a very difficult twelvemonth successful 2023, and that they are a group of group who attraction very overmuch astir sportsmanship and integrity. As nan leader of nan squad connected nan field, I want to return accountability, and I scheme to afloat cooperate pinch nan investigation.'

'To Canada, I americium sorry,' nan English coach continued. 'You person been my location and a state I person fallen successful emotion with. I dream you proceed to support these highly talented and hardworking players, to thief them defy each likelihood and show their existent character.'

Priestman was adamant that spying played nary domiciled successful nan team's golden badge astatine nan Tokyo Olympics, aft TSN reported that Canada's men's and women's teams person tried to movie their opponents' training sessions 'for years' - including successful 2021 successful Tokyo.

'This programme and squad person allowed this state to scope nan pinnacle of women's soccer, and their winning of nan golden badge was earned done sheer grit and determination, contempt reports to nan contrary,' Priestman said.

'I fought pinch each ounce of my being to make this programme better, overmuch of which will ne'er beryllium known aliases understood. I wish I could opportunity more, but I will refrain astatine this time, fixed nan appeals process and nan ongoing investigation.'

The coach concluded her connection by saying that she'd beryllium 'cheering from afar' for Canada.

Andy Spence has taken complete coaching duties astatine nan Olympics from Priestman.

Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue said successful a connection connected Saturday that nan federation were 'exploring options to entreaty [the points deduction] connected nan ground that it is excessively punitive towards our Women's National Team players – who were not progressive successful immoderate unethical behavior.'

In a property convention connected Friday, Blue added that nan players astatine nan Paris Olympics had not seen immoderate drone footage from Lombardi.

Blue besides admitted to reporters that location was an effort astatine drone usage by personification connected nan men's squad during this summer's Copa America, successful which Canada vanished fourth.

Blue said that Canada men's caput coach Jesse Marsch learned astir nan drone usage 'after nan fact' and that he 'immediately and forcefully denounced' it to his coaching staff.

Canada's women's squad play France connected Sunday.