Canada coach Bev Priestman banned from Paris Olympics as drone scandal deepens

Canadian women’s football coach Bev Priestman has been stood down for the remainder of the Olympics after new information about the alleged “spying” scandal came to light.

Canadian women’s football coach Bev Priestman has been stood down for the remainder of the Olympics after new information about the alleged “spying” scandal came to light.

Priestman didn’t coach Canada through their 2-1 win over New Zealand on Friday morning after they were caught using a drone to spy on the opposition twice at Games venues.

The coach said she didn’t see the footage but as a show of good faith removed herself from game.

Two others, her assistant coach Jasmine Mander and analyst Joseph Lombardi, were sent home for their part in the scandal.

Mander’s brother is a physio travelling with the New Zealand women’s football team.

Olympics over before it began... Bev Priestman is done. Picture: Getty Images

Lombardi was also given a suspended eight-month sentence by French authorities for flying a drone in a prohibited area.

There have been reports the Canadian team have been using the spying tactic for a lot longer though.

Priestman was the assistant coach to John Herdman when he coached the women’s team from 2006-2011. There was an allegation the men’s team, while under Herdman’s reign in 2019 used a drone to record a US training session.

Lombardi, the analyst sent home, has also worked with Herdman in the past.

New Zealand's midfielder Katie Kitching and Canada's Jessie Fleming fight for the ball in their opening match. Picture: AFP

Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue said in a statement he had been made aware of previous drone use .

“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,” he said.

“There have been reports of Canada spying. It is terrible news for the reigning Olympic champions.”

Assistant coach Andy Spence will take charge for the remainder of the tournament.

FIFA has since opened disciplinary proceedings against Canada.

There has been no suggestion the players were aware of the actions being taken by the coaching staff.

Originally published as Canada coach Bev Priestman banned from Paris Olympics as drone scandal deepens