Banned Canada Olympic coach Bev Priestman lands Wellington Phoenix women’s job

The banned coach who took the brunt of the punishment for Canada’s drone scandal at the Paris Olympics is set to revive their career in the A-League.

Disgraced Canadian women’s football coach Bev Priestman, who used a drone to spy on opponents at the Paris Olympics, has been named as the new coach of Wellington Phoenix’s ALW side.

Priestman, who guided the Canadian women’s team to gold medal glory at the Tokyo Olympics, was sacked by the nation’s football body in July 2024 and handed a 12 month ban by FIFA for her role in the drone scandal.

Canada’s drone surveillance tactics were uncovered by New Zealand during the Paris Olympics.

They were caught red-handed using a drone to spy on training sessions prior to the two teams going head to head in the group stage of the Games.

Priestman, assistant coach Jasmine Mander and analyst Joseph Lombardi were all found to be involved in the scandal – with all three sacked.

Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue said an investigation found it wasn’t an isolated incident.

“The findings of the independent investigator reveal that the drone incident in Paris was a symptom of a past pattern of an unacceptable culture and insufficient oversight within the national teams,” Blue wrote in a statement.

Bev Priestman copped a one-year ban by FIFA for her role in a drone surveillance scandal. Picture: Getty

FIFA fined Canada Soccer $228,000 and deducted six points from the women’s team’s Olympic campaign.

All three were given 12 month bans.

Priestman later issued an apology and took full responsibility for the incident.

Her ban ended on July 27 and the coach had been linked to the vacant position at Wellington Phoenix.

The club, which finished ninth in the women’s competition last season, didn’t offer a new contract to long time coach Paul Temple. It instead appointed assistant coach Amy Shepard as the interim coach – stating in the press release a new coach would be announced in late July.

Priestman (C) guided the Canada women’s team to gold at the Tokyo Olympics. Picture: AFP

Priestman said she was excited for the opportunity to get back into the sport.

“I’m thrilled to have signed with the Wellington Phoenix,” Priestman said.

“It’s a fantastic club with big ambitions, world class facilities and a phenomenal fan base. I can’t wait to get to work, connect with everyone in the building and get to know our amazing fans.

“Coming back to New Zealand and seeing the Phoenix week in week out as the only professional women’s team has been amazing. We have a responsibility now to fly the flag for this country and try to do something special.

“Huge thanks to Rob, Shaun Gill (director of football) and David Dome (general manager) for giving me this chance to come back to the game I love and hopefully bring some special moments to not only this city, but this country.”

The Phoenix haven’t had a great deal to celebrate in the women’s A-League. Picture: Getty

Phoenix Chairman Rob Morrison said the club was thrilled to bring Priestman on board.

“We’re really pleased to be able to welcome Bev back to football,” Morrison said.

“We all know she’s had a period of time away from the game, but we understand the circumstances and we’re really comfortable with this appointment.

“Bev can’t wait to get started and we’re really happy that she’s going to be coaching the Phoenix.”

Morrison described Priestman as a “world class coach and a top person”.

“I have no doubt she will bring her winning mentality to the Wellington Phoenix,” he said.

“This is a step up in an exciting era for the Phoenix women’s team. Along with our significant ongoing investment in the women’s academy programme, we have doubled our investment in the women’s first team and this has resulted in us being able to recruit some great international players.”

Priestman is no stranger to New Zealand – her wife Emma Humphries is a retired New Zealand national women’s footballer.

The couple and their son have been living in New Zealand. Humphries is the director of Phoenix’s women’s academy.

Phoenix’s women’s team are yet to feature in a finals series of the ALW.

Originally published as Banned Canada Olympic coach Bev Priestman lands Wellington Phoenix women’s job