Beverly Priestman, manager of the Canada women’s football team, will miss the team’s Olympic opener against New Zealand due to the dismissal of two of her backroom staff members following an incident involving a drone flying over the New Zealand team’s training session.
At 38 years old, Priestman has decided to “voluntarily withdraw” from the match scheduled for Thursday in St Etienne after the New Zealand Olympic Committee reported that the drone was present during their training on Monday.
Her assistant, Jasmine Mander, and “unaccredited analyst” Joseph Lombardi have both been sent home.
FIFA has initiated disciplinary actions against Canada Soccer, as well as against Priestman, Lombardi, and Mander.
The Canadian Olympic Committee has stated that a scouting report submitted by Lombardi was forwarded to Mander.
Priestman acknowledged her accountability for her colleagues’ actions.
“I would like to sincerely apologize to the players and staff at New Zealand Football and to the athletes representing Team Canada. This behavior does not reflect the values of our team,” Priestman expressed.
“I bear ultimate responsibility for the conduct within our program.”
The COC confirmed on Wednesday that one “non-accredited member of the Canada Soccer support team” was detained by authorities.
“The Canadian Olympic Committee advocates for fair play, and we are both shocked and disappointed by this situation,” they noted in a statement., external
“We extend our sincerest apologies to New Zealand Football, to all impacted players, and to the New Zealand Olympic Committee.”
The NZOC has reported that they have “formally lodged the incident with the IOC integrity unit and requested a complete review from Canada.”
“The NZOC and New Zealand Football are dedicated to maintaining the integrity and fairness of the Olympic Games and are profoundly shocked and disappointed by this event.”
A French court announced on Thursday that Lombardi received an eight-month suspended prison sentence after admitting to illegally flying a drone in an urban area.
