Canadian Women's Soccer Coach Suspended Amid Drone Spying Scandal

An exasperated Vanessa Gilles struggled to express her feelings about the suspension of Canadian women's soccer coach Bev Priestman.

"Lots of emotions," the veteran defender said. "Lots of work with sports therapists to try to stay calm."

Priestman was sent home earlier in the week due to a drone spying scandal that has rocked Canada Soccer at the Paris Games.

FIFA docked six points from the team, fined Canada Soccer around C$313,000, and banned Priestman and two staff members—Joseph Lombardi and Jasmine Mander—for one year each.

This discipline came after two assistant coaches were caught using drones to spy on New Zealand's practices before their opening game last Thursday.

The Canadian Olympic Committee and Canada Soccer are "exploring rights of appeal" related to the point deduction.

"We feel terrible for the athletes on the Canadian women's Olympic soccer team who played no role in this matter," said COC chief executive David Shoemaker.

Canada Soccer was held responsible for not ensuring its staff complied with tournament rules. There is no suggestion that players were involved in the spying.

Priestman, who led Canada to the Olympic title in Tokyo in 2021, had already been suspended by Canada Soccer and removed from the tournament.

Canadian officials suspect the spying has been systemic for years.

"It's a lot to take in," Gilles said, reflecting on the impact of the scandal. FIFA's decision came down after the eighth-ranked Canadians, who beat New Zealand 2-1, wrapped up their training session at Stade Auguste Dury.

The case is likely heading for the Court of Arbitration for Sport's special Olympic court in Paris.

"Canada Soccer is disappointed with the impact of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee's decision on our athletes," said Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue.

"We are exploring options to appeal on the basis that it is excessively punitive towards our women's national team—who were not involved in any unethical behavior."

The points deduction, if upheld by CAS judges, does not eliminate Canada from the tournament.

It means Canada must win all three games in Group A to advance to the quarterfinals starting August 3.

Canada beat second-ranked France on Sunday and is preparing to take on No. 22 Colombia on Wednesday in Nice.

"This tournament moves so quickly," said Canadian captain Jessie Fleming. "We just don't have time to dwell on our feelings too much. All of my energy and focus is on the team and the game tomorrow."

FIFA judges stated that Priestman and her two assistants "were each found responsible for offensive behavior and violation of the principles of fair play."

Acting head coach Andy Spence now leads a coaching staff cut in half, with only assistant coach Neil Wood and goalkeepers/set plays coach Jen Herst remaining.

"There's no training for this," Spence said. "I've been asked to lead and that's what I'm going to do to the best of my abilities." FIFA fast-tracked its disciplinary process due to the tournament's compact 17-day schedule, asking its appeals judges to handle the case swiftly.

"There are so many things that are out of our control," said Canada forward Adriana Leon. "What we can do is just perform, play hard, and represent the badge as well as we can."