Paris Olympics: Why Canada sends home women’s Olympic football coach Bev Priestman

Canada has sent home their women’s Paris Olympic football coach, Bev Priestman, following allegations of using drones to spy on their opponents.

The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) confirmed the decision on Friday, noting that Priestman was suspended by Canada Soccer.

This development comes after Canada, the women’s Paris Olympic champions from Tokyo 2020, had already sent home two staff members on Wednesday for using drones to spy on a New Zealand practice session in France.

“Over the past 24 hours, additional information has come to our attention regarding previous drone use against opponents, predating the Paris 2024 Olympic Games,” said Canada Soccer chief executive Kevin Blue.

“In light of these new revelations, Canada Soccer has made the decision to suspend Women’s National Soccer Team Head Coach Bev Priestman for the remainder of the Paris 2024 Olympics Games. This will also be in place until the completion of our recently-announced independent external review.”

Assistant coach Andy Spence will lead the team for the rest of the Paris Olympics Games. Despite the controversy, Canada managed to defeat New Zealand 2-1 in their tournament opener on Thursday. Priestman had removed herself from coaching the match on Wednesday.