Beverly Priestman, the manager of the Canada women’s football team, has been dismissed from her role as Olympic head coach and suspended by the football federation amid ongoing fallout from a drone incident that occurred over New Zealand’s practice session on Monday.
According to Canada Soccer, the decision was made due to “recent developments that revealed prior drone activities targeting opponents, prior to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.”
The 38-year-old Priestman, who hails from England, had “voluntarily” stepped back during her team’s opening match, a 2-0 win against New Zealand on Thursday. Her assistant, Jasmine Mander, along with “unaccredited analyst” Joseph Lombardi, were also sent home.
On Thursday, a French court sentenced Lombardi to an eight-month suspended prison term after he admitted to operating a drone in a city without the necessary permit.
Canada Soccer’s chief executive, Kevin Blue, stated that Priestman would remain suspended for the duration of the Games while an “independent external review” is conducted.
For the remainder of the Games, assistant coach Andy Spence will assume control, with Canada’s next match set against France on Sunday.
Priestman acknowledged her accountability for the actions of her team members after it was discovered that Lombardi’s scouting report was sent to Mander.
In light of the incident, Priestman expressed: “Firstly, I want to extend my apologies to the players and staff at New Zealand Football and to the members of Team Canada. This behavior does not align with the principles we uphold as a team.”
“I bear full responsibility for what occurs within our program.”
Furthermore, FIFA initiated their own disciplinary processes against Priestman, Lombardi, and Mander on Wednesday.
