The head coach of the Canadian Women’s National Team soccer team is out of the Olympics.
In a statement, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) says Bev Priestman will be replaced by Assistant Coach Andy Spence for the remainder of the Paris Olympic Games.
Canada Soccer CEO and General Secretary Kevin Blue made the following statement:
”Over the past 24 hours, additional information has come to our attention regarding previous drone use against opponents, predating the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. In light of these new revelations, Canada Soccer has made the decision to suspend Women’s National 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.”
The COC sent two coaches from the team home after accusations they had been using drones to watch the New Zealand Team practice on Monday.
Assistant Coach Jasmine Lombardi and Canada Soccer Coach analyst Joseph Lombardi were expelled.
Canada came into the Olympics as defending gold medalists having claimed their first-ever Olympic gold at the last games in Tokyo.
Priestman sat out of Thursday’s game where Canada beat New Zealand 2-1.
Meanwhile, a former captain of the Canadian women’s soccer team is speaking out amid the “dronegate scandal.”
Christine Sinclair, who has played in four Olympic games, posted a statement on social media Friday.
“It’s unfortunate that the players of our National Team have had to play through condemnable actions by some of their staff as they attempt to defend our gold medal. Actions players have no control over,” wrote Sinclair.
“I want to be clear that having been a national team player for 23 years, we were never shown or discussed drone footage in team or individual meetings I’ve been present for.”
-with files from Evan Taylor
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