Banned coach Bev Priestman: 'I am absolutely heartbroken for the players'

Suspended coach Bev Priestman has issued a statement through her lawyers, apologising to her players and the Canadian nation for the drone scandal at the Paris Olympics.

“I am absolutely heartbroken for the players, and I would like to apologise from the bottom of my heart for the impact this situation has had on all of them,” Priestman said in her first public comments since being barred by FIFA from all forms of football activity for a year.

“To Canada, I am sorry. You have been my home and a country I have fallen in love with.

“I hope you will continue to support these extremely talented and hardworking players, to help them defy all odds and show their true character.

“This programme and team have allowed this country to reach the pinnacle of women’s soccer, and their winning of the gold medal was earned through sheer grit and determination, despite reports to the contrary.”

Priestman and two of her coaching staff have been given 12-month suspensions, while Canada have been docked six points in their Group of the Olympics women’s tournament.

Canada Soccer have also been fined 200,000 Swiss frances (NZ$385,000).

The financial implications for Canada’s governing body will go further, with the government-funded Sport Canada saying it was withholding funding allocated for the salaries of Priestman and her two staff members.

“Using a drone to surveil another team during a closed practice is cheating,” sport minister Carla Qualtrough said in a statement.

“It is completely unfair to Canadian players and to opposing teams. It undermines the integrity of the game itself.

“Given that the Women’s Programme receives funding from Sport Canada, we are withholding funding relating to suspended Canada Soccer officials for the duration of their FIFA sanction.”

“There is a deeply concerning pattern of behaviour at Canada Soccer.

“We must, and will, get to the bottom of this. This issue has caused significant distraction and embarrassment for Team Canada and all Canadians here in Paris and at home.”

Canada Soccer are considering appealing the decision to deduct six points from the Olympic group table.

Priestman (38), who became Canada’s national coach in 2020, is contracted to stay in the role until at least the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

England-born Priestman worked for NZ Football between 2009 and 2013, as head of women’s football.

Since then, she’s been the assistant manager of the England women’s national team and achieved her biggest success when coaching the Canadians to beat Sweden to win gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

Canada beat hosts France with stoppage-time winner

Despite the six-point deduction, Canada can still qualify for the knockout stages of the tournament after beating hosts France 2-1.

After trailing 0-1 at half-time, Canada fought back through goals from captain Jessie Fleming and Vanessa Gilles who scored the winner two minutes into added time.

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